If there are any reasons why BJC Medical Center should not be sold to Restoration Healthcare for $7.1 million, they did not come up at a public hearing held Thursday evening by the office of Attorney General Thurbert Baker.
Not a single person had anything negative to say about either the medical center or the proposed transaction during the 66-minute public hearing in the cafeteria of East Jackson Comprehensive High School.
Steve Clapp, second from right, explains how Restoration Healthcare will manage BJC Medical Center. Listening are, left to right, Julie Jacobs, assistant attorney general; W. Wright Banks, senior assistant attorney general; Peter W. Ketchum, president, Ketchum Evaluation Consulting; Clapp; and Steve McSween, attorney for Restoration Healthcare.
All positive for BJC sale at hearing
Approximately 85 people — many of them affiliated with the medical center — attended. Only five spoke.
Baker is expected to rule on whether the sale may proceed within 30 days from Monday. If he gives his approval, the BJC Medical Center Authority and Restoration Healthcare could finalize the transaction by the end of the year.
Most of the hearing, directed by Julie Jacobs, assistant attorney general, consisted of BJC officials and Restoration’s Steve Clapp explaining how the sale came about, followed by explanations by BJC’s financial analyst of how he reached the $7.1 million price, and by Peter W. Ketchum, president of Ketchum Evaluation Consulting, a financial consultant hired by Baker’s office, confirming that the appraisal of the facility was not flawed.
Baker’s role in the sale is to make sure that the public’s investment is protected - that there are no sweetheart deals for the authority or Restoration, and that the price is reasonable.
No one suggested otherwise Monday night, but Jacobs said she would “keep the record open” for further comments until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.
All five people who spoke following the explanation by the involved parties endorsed the sale.
Commerce Mayor Charles L. Hardy Jr. was first. He told the panel he’d been treated for two heart attacks and pneumonia at BJC. He joked that the heart attacks could be related to serving 20 years as mayor.
“Professional care is there at BJC,” he said, “The caring is more so than you see at other hospitals and the personal care you get at BJC is very, very good.”
Hardy also told the panel that the medical center is is crucial to the town.
“Back in the late 80s, early 90s, we lost about 1,300 textile jobs in Commerce,” he recalled. “That hurt, but this would be more devastating.”
Dr. Narasimhulo Neelagaru, a local cardiologist, told the panel that “with Restoration coming, increasing the capital, there is a tremendous opportunity for the community to grow along with the hospital.”
Dr. Clark Hill told the panel that Restoration has the track record, access to capital and credit, and understands the need of small-town hospitals. Further, he indicated that he felt a bond with Restoration’s owners.
Commissioner Chas Hardy told the panel that the medical center has “been a good steward to the indigent and needy of the community.” He also presented three letters from the Jackson County Board of Commissioners in support of the purchase.
Chris Ray, an employee of the medical center, spoke of his family’s reliance on the medical center. He told the panel that his father could not drive to Athens or Gainesville, nor could a disabled sister.
“We need this facility to stay open for this type of people,” said Bray, who stated that closing BJC would be “a terrible thing.”
Baker is expected to rule on whether the sale may proceed within 30 days from Monday. If he gives his approval, the BJC Medical Center Authority and Restoration Healthcare could finalize the transaction by the end of the year.
Most of the hearing, directed by Julie Jacobs, assistant attorney general, consisted of BJC officials and Restoration’s Steve Clapp explaining how the sale came about, followed by explanations by BJC’s financial analyst of how he reached the $7.1 million price, and by Peter W. Ketchum, president of Ketchum Evaluation Consulting, a financial consultant hired by Baker’s office, confirming that the appraisal of the facility was not flawed.
Baker’s role in the sale is to make sure that the public’s investment is protected - that there are no sweetheart deals for the authority or Restoration, and that the price is reasonable.
No one suggested otherwise Monday night, but Jacobs said she would “keep the record open” for further comments until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.
All five people who spoke following the explanation by the involved parties endorsed the sale.
Commerce Mayor Charles L. Hardy Jr. was first. He told the panel he’d been treated for two heart attacks and pneumonia at BJC. He joked that the heart attacks could be related to serving 20 years as mayor.
“Professional care is there at BJC,” he said, “The caring is more so than you see at other hospitals and the personal care you get at BJC is very, very good.”
Hardy also told the panel that the medical center is is crucial to the town.
“Back in the late 80s, early 90s, we lost about 1,300 textile jobs in Commerce,” he recalled. “That hurt, but this would be more devastating.”
Dr. Narasimhulo Neelagaru, a local cardiologist, told the panel that “with Restoration coming, increasing the capital, there is a tremendous opportunity for the community to grow along with the hospital.”
Dr. Clark Hill told the panel that Restoration has the track record, access to capital and credit, and understands the need of small-town hospitals. Further, he indicated that he felt a bond with Restoration’s owners.
Commissioner Chas Hardy told the panel that the medical center has “been a good steward to the indigent and needy of the community.” He also presented three letters from the Jackson County Board of Commissioners in support of the purchase.
Chris Ray, an employee of the medical center, spoke of his family’s reliance on the medical center. He told the panel that his father could not drive to Athens or Gainesville, nor could a disabled sister.
“We need this facility to stay open for this type of people,” said Bray, who stated that closing BJC would be “a terrible thing.”
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