The Catoosa County Commission voted 4-1 during a meeting Tuesday evening to oppose Erlanger Health System’s plans to build a radiation oncology center in Ringgold.
The decision followed a plea from Andrew McGill, vice president of strategy and business development at CHI Memorial, who asked the commission to support CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia’s plans to offer its own radiation services in the area.
Georgia law requires those wishing to establish new or expanded health care services to submit a certificate of need application to the state. Before a project can get underway, regulators must review the application and determine whether or not it’s needed in the area.
Andrew Mcgill, left, walks with Heart Institute President Paul Farmer as they give a tour of Memorial’s new Guerry Heart and Vasuclar Center on June 9, 2014.While the law intends to safeguard against unnecessary duplication of services that drive up health care costs, it’s been an obstacle for the two hospitals. Both submitted applications in February, but there’s only enough North Georgia patients for one.
Now, the right to offer radiation services in Ringgold lies in the hands of state officials, who will use letters of opposition and support to inform their decisions.