Parkridge Health System will go before a state panel Wednesday to make a case for its application to build Bradley County’s first freestanding emergency room as local competitors oppose the plan.
Parkridge needs a so-called certificate of need from the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to build a $17.4 million ER in Cleveland. The 15-person commission will review Parkridge’s application based on the need for another health care facility, the standard of care proposed and the advantage to patients of more competition.
(UPDATE: Parkridge delays state hearing on Cleveland ER for weather)
During the commission meeting at 9 a.m. Central time Wednesday in Nashville, Parkridge will present its plans, and people supporting or opposing its application will give testimony, according to the commission’s process. The commission will vote to approve or deny the application or defer the vote to obtain more information.
Parkridge is confident in the strength of its application, CEO Chris Cosby said. The hospital system is owned by Nashville-based HCA Healthcare, the nation’s largest for-profit hospital system.