STATE RUSHES FUNDS TO NASHVILLE GENERAL HOSPITAL

NASHVILLE – Tennessee officials today presented Nashville General Hospital with a check that will help the city hospital keep its doors open. A $2.02 million check was given to Dr. Reginald Coopwood, the hospital authority’s chief executive, representing the hospital’s share of $50 million in federal money the State is receiving to help hospitals with uncompensated costs.

“Governor Phil Bredesen is committed to helping this important institution find a way to survive and this cash infusion will help the immediate crisis while the hospital seeks long-term solutions,” said Finance and Administration Commissioner Dave Goetz, who presented the check to hospital officials before a meeting of the Davidson County Legislative delegation. “We’re working fast to get money distributed to all the hospitals and providers involved, but recognized we were in a position where we could make a significant impact on General today and moved quickly to make it happen.”

Gov. Bredesen and U.S. Sen. Bill Frist announced last week that the Centers fro Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would provide Tennessee hospitals with the additional $50 million for uncompensated costs associated with treating patients enrolled in TennCare, the State’s Medicaid program. Nashville General is one of seven so-called “safety net” hospitals in Tennessee, along with Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Johnson City Medical Center in Washington County, Regional Medical Center (The Med) in Memphis, University of Tennessee Memorial Hospital in Knoxville, Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville and Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center in Sullivan County.

Metro Hospital Authority officials have petitioned Metro Nashville Council members for a $6.7 million loan which, along with today’s check, could keep the facility operating through June 30. Council members are scheduled to discuss the loan at their April 4 meeting.