[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6619165,"mediaKeyId","2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31","parentId",2979561,"title","Board Reviews Overhauled Conflict‑of‑Interest Policy, Votes to Table Pending Legal Review","audioSeconds",277,"startMs",1367000,"endMs",1644000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31&start=1367&end=1644","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31/thumbnail_1367000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619165/Tennessee/Board-Reviews-Overhauled-ConflictofInterest-Policy-Votes-to-Table-Pending-Legal-Review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619165-2ce8186f51bbbdde8ec72161a00a6c4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941055&Signature=CNZIaCqEdEDUEx7tC~6v1-KJ5WFNqbhlyQH4fJV1h879NXO4ZT2QP62nyGCFsPUYAP~KI~OtOUq6-5oSp3wVW6IisIdcUN3KTocPekZDEEzXFl4gAX8Z9MKKPoRDPyB6glrI9RZ9muyaYV7u2uMNLZ1o~nwzhiyArg6ozgih5pmnQNL9xDboHnQEjPReQe-oYQj-AYqQYU6XIDauClTv2As-IAx8ws~2M3-xkY~8Z-MsOIOHpOIt4PQvbw0eyWLBXFbV2~V-sAPzh5C2g-TXyfBCHoC1qhsePhNWnO3Jj~M-iyGaUU3IUaOD4QY2BZnux-z9J2VeRx8y7~WMg0M5Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Nashville, TN","date","2025-02-28T00:00:00Z","article","Christy Lewis, chief compliance officer for Nashville General Hospital, presented an extensively revised conflict‑of‑interest policy and accompanying disclosure form at the Feb. 27 board meeting. Lewis said the policy expands definitions of covered interests, clarifies reporting and recusal procedures, and adds a new ethical‑behavior section addressing procurement, use of information and gifts.

Lewis described the new gift thresholds in the policy and directed board members to complete disclosure statements by the close of business or submit them promptly. She told the board the policy would be required for board members, staff and vendors annually and upon hire or when a conflict arises.

Derek Smith, Metro Legal, told the board that a specific state statute provision applies to board members and that Metro Legal had not yet completed its review; he recommended tabling final adoption to permit a legal review and any necessary refinements. The board voted to table the policy to the next meeting to allow Metro Legal time to complete its review and propose any adjustments.

Board members said they supported the general direction of augmenting disclosure and clarifying recusal procedures but wanted assurance from legal counsel that statutory requirements had been correctly incorporated and that the new procurement language would be workable in contracts and purchasing processes.

The revised disclosure form presented at the meeting removes some questions described as overreaching and will be used for immediate submission pending the legal review. The compliance office provided a hotline and email for reporting such concerns and said the form and policy would be reintroduced for approval at a subsequent meeting after legal department review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/27/25 Hospital Authority Board","oneSentenceSummary","The board discussed an updated conflict‑of‑interest policy and new disclosure form, reviewed expanded ethics language and gift limits, and voted to table adoption until Metro Legal completes its review.","taxTitle","Hospital Authority Board Meetings, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee","taxId",69306,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619170,"Board Reports Progress, Continued Questions in Meharry Medical College PSA Negotiations",134,1080000,1214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31&start=1080&end=1214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","/articles/6619170/Tennessee/Board-Reports-Progress-Continued-Questions-in-Meharry-Medical-College-PSA-Negotiations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619170-6370b6827cb692587b695ea8c4bb22b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941055&Signature=LXg0joGXndYi5z-4-gkpxxfhfxlfbMAbNKpvb2Kcy-Q506SPsaHROkfU0EWU8NR0ElBiOhUEtqm3nIHuO4~kGxHYj~Mv-mksUzsvEMiA99kfqbKW9M0wWeeAcBy~LQ-tiEyZ7ANGFAwC2DXd8MeeDDA82Ce~qQC-Nq6xqCFi9BeMcFVNWVDthogg9kxORisQk4PLiJMkc-10Y87C7k0PW0mzoubSutwXL23yuADJKidqBEpw~pQo1--zo3xpZD0b3mr~gFLv7dQ0ZZBmIM-~1ecJ9~Zc-hL1jmnDbhtEuOg7HaumTbcZid~CUr0Wv9GgiKCEpQ94I6yOswLm8YFlaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hospital Authority Board heard an update on negotiations toward a written physician services agreement (PSA) with Meharry Medical College on Feb. 27. Board member and observer Mark Esquivel said he attended recent meetings between senior leaders of Meharry and Nashville General and reported that both sides identified substantive issues that must be resolved for a PSA to be signed.

Esquivel said the meeting included representatives from Meharry, including the provost (identified in the meeting as Dr. Southpaul), and hospital executive leadership. He said both sides agreed on some near‑term items — including faster processing of invoices from Meharry and adjustments to compensation for Meharry providers when those rates are below market — and that subject‑matter experts will meet before the next session, scheduled roughly two weeks after the Feb. 27 meeting.

Esquivel told the board he had also received a draft PSA from the hospital’s leadership that he described as a template for discussion rather than a negotiated agreement. He said, “there is now kind of a template out there so that Meharry and the hospital can begin to fill that in as these negotiations move forward.”

Board members emphasized the centrality of a functioning relationship with Meharry for the hospital’s clinical staffing and for future plans for a new hospital facility. Several board members called for an improved, formal line of communication between Meharry leadership and the board and asked for a short written update on progress and timeline at the next meeting.

No formal agreement was presented to the board on Feb. 27; the PSA remained under negotiation and the board discussed whether a temporary extension of a prior PSA should be considered to govern services while negotiations continue.","Board observer reported renewed meetings between Nashville General and Meharry leadership to negotiate a physician services agreement; parties identified topics for resolution and scheduled follow‑up, but larger issues remain unresolved.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619174,"Nashville General Finance Report: Cerner Implementation, State Funding Uncertainty and Cash‑on‑Hand Concerns",313,4460000,4773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31&start=4460&end=4773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31/thumbnail_4460000.jpg","/articles/6619174/Tennessee/Nashville-General-Finance-Report-Cerner-Implementation-State-Funding-Uncertainty-and-CashonHand-Concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619174-821efcec130dad87f073c508ebc6d4ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941055&Signature=S5jLW2gWvQ8Kf62D10zovbSJ~nmRaUBZBK-hgldQrEk1UJeFVl8gN0DzqKPNfNakQff5CN3HOCxlBz~LPpmPKuKmZY8--pXAQvyH1oe96DR7UnFPDmQGUagU2fuDIt1huSOHwuT6Z42EEUrp8nHpQieeFvwUuLp7aI6OfOWiYn8Snxf1nD-V8dK25Q-btmy7TEbnQJjMMck5k3A~-bP3u-8qqqj6Sy7LSCGLS8TDMtpQIgkQSdSQJhFD2Wv34K4H65LpEwe0uqzrzfKMJBhTABNk79FR48mnDH2Mtom5Tc7gVF46ouNdq3HYZ3zTYViZdTvvAiXyXTRRCaIDYTN35Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hospital Authority Board reviewed December financial statements and a proposed fiscal‑year 2026 budget at its Feb. 27 meeting, where finance staff and board members highlighted implementation costs from an electronic health record conversion, uncertainty about state supplemental payments and lower-than-desired cash reserves.

Controller Mark Moran reported that December revenue was about $23 million for the month and net revenue roughly $12.6 million; expenses were approximately $3.4 million higher than revenue for the month, a loss Moran attributed in part to Cerner implementation-related costs. He told the board contract labor associated with the Cerner rollout accounted for approximately $1.3 million of the increased expenses and salaries were roughly $900,000 higher than the prior year for the month discussed.

Moran and others told the board that a previously expected state supplemental payment — described in board discussion as about $10 million tied to a revised pool or formula — remained uncertain. Finance staff said they had been told by the state to expect an update in March but could not confirm amount or timing; one board member said the authority should assume the money could be treated as a one‑time supplemental and not budget on it as recurring revenue.

Finance committee members said the hospital’s unrestricted cash balance at December month‑end was about $5.3 million and that the authority’s target is a 90‑day cash position. Board members asked for a cash‑flow projection through June 30, 2025, and a sensitivity analysis showing impacts if state supplemental funds are lower than assumed.

The board reviewed a proposed budget for fiscal 2026. Chief Financial Officer Dr. Blackledge presented a proposed city subsidy request of $66 million to support operations in 2026 and said the proposed budget would reduce projected expenses versus the current projection, producing a modest net income in the proposed budget. The board voted to approve the 2026 budget and to forward the city subsidy request to the mayor and council; members said the request may be revised pending state‑funding clarifications.

Board members and staff also discussed steps to improve month‑to‑month financial reporting, address repeated audit adjustments, and control contract labor and other expense categories where overspending has occurred.","Board heard December financials showing a monthly loss linked to Cerner implementation and higher expenses; uncertainty about a roughly $10 million state supplemental payment and low cash reserves prompted requests for further analysis.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619179,"Internal and Metro Audits Substantiate Overbilling, Missing Contracts and Falsified Records at Nashville General",520,6132000,6652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31&start=6132&end=6652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31/thumbnail_6132000.jpg","/articles/6619179/Tennessee/Internal-and-Metro-Audits-Substantiate-Overbilling-Missing-Contracts-and-Falsified-Records-at-Nashville-General","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619179-caceb4eb37eeee75d3b3b1c63c5072ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941055&Signature=QiaJ8tRcs4kOGu-bp3QbkYuwlJyRVUnt3-NDGqhnjKdVumWBJ-9loo2uyO-PIzX511yl6akOX07qGTpT8c1zB9fveMOuShXH~0yo7AQugSfmq0c8L96NbG-EN4d6Ytb2Cxk6AwqLQ~fyCwaukX9tGuMLBC5p2-kOQkp-tSY~kJwG0z1fxIs4fJmZaGA90arGGhjfqDiXdC5WI-ufpzxN-pS181vz-h7Lm1AgLK25hDC1ZhtvGmuA02KgCUYfkIe0Cr43xKvgtLFq3iED2nlJZtHDNTuFUMwgMAGsGvML21KTvTBJoHKB9Oou8Ry4IK034O1cTATA5pM0ERTgYOyYOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two separate audit reports presented to the Hospital Authority Board on Feb. 27 identified multiple control failures, billing irregularities and problems in contracting and records handling.

Katie Farris, audit director with Crossland PLLC, reported an unmodified opinion on the hospital’s fiscal‑year 2024 financial statements but noted that auditors found four repeat internal‑control deficiencies: two material weaknesses and two significant deficiencies. Farris said the repeat findings point to an ongoing lack of adequate internal control over financial reporting and that those deficiencies had led to significant adjustments in the audit process.

Lauren Riley, Metropolitan Auditor, reported the results of an investigation that began in April 2024 into allegations of fraud, waste or abuse. Riley said investigators substantiated several allegations, including that the hospital’s contracted valet service billed for roughly 7,000 more hours than the contractor’s time records showed and that about $230,000 in payments were overbilled. Riley said, “There was over 7,000 hours difference and about 230,000 dollars in payments that were made that were overbilled.”

Riley also reported that investigators found six clinical contracts and 16 nonclinical contracts that did not go before the board as required; payments to those contractors totaled roughly $4.6 million. The investigation substantiated that portions of documents provided in response to media public‑records requests had been altered: in five instances vendor signatures appeared on documents sent to the media that were not on the versions on file in contracts management.

Riley said the auditors could not determine whether the failure to present contracts to the board was ordered by a specific individual, and the office did not find evidence directly tying that conduct to the CEO. The report recommended remediation steps and said the Office of Internal Audit will follow up to verify implementation.

Board members said the audit findings are serious and require prompt action. Several members requested immediate briefings at the next meeting with documentation for each contract identified in the internal report, a plan to recover overpayments where possible, and an action plan to address repeat audit findings.

The hospital’s finance and legal teams were asked to work with internal and Metro auditors to compile contract files, reconcile vendor payments and present corrective actions at upcoming board meetings.","Internal audit by Crossland and an investigation by the Metropolitan Auditor reported material weaknesses in controls, substantiated overbilling by a valet contractor, contracts that did not reach the board, and instances where records provided to media were altered.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619183,"Nashville General CEO Joseph Webb to Leave; Board Votes Not to Renew Contract",683,89000,772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31&start=89&end=772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979561-30f12ddc92ae41e6abd7020c0d275b31/thumbnail_89000.jpg","/articles/6619183/Tennessee/Nashville-General-CEO-Joseph-Webb-to-Leave-Board-Votes-Not-to-Renew-Contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619183-185c73d5132334d4d4345db3b8548b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941055&Signature=IVx1z-c2o0Zc8A04RyzA8pO1VF3lkzObYx8fR5tdFAEuiyAXPcytiCe64CBS-qnSQOv-xMTj85UaKolSKcZXjCnXB6eRxkkUnsQvyhauJiLqjaWWAPd4r9Z-aRsRmatY6DpBbpyfCi5tNCa0K~gYVc-fo8aEmkUzLTUn7DIbHBOONynQtEp0fiU1wGX-Aiyt2NV6OHS2PG8x~Nw~AHzc88sD2NelIsvq4dyQ8UHHnDg7xNzjba0s15fGF4tzncxrGVHqU2rzE765F2EMAQhf-Soc6YLnS1sge6uwnfom49xY00Co5YirLrVk8SOmCZPEgK3PmEnG6Op2l8KDCLsvEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joseph Webb, chief executive officer of Nashville General Hospital, informed the Hospital Authority Board on Feb. 27 that he will not seek renewal of his employment agreement and that his departure will be effective March 14, 2025. Webb’s letter, read to the board, said, “My departure date will be effective as of 03/14/2025. I trust that my compensation and other obligations as outlined in my agreement will be fully honored as we navigate this transition.”

The board later voted to adopt a committee recommendation not to renew Webb’s contract when it ends June 30, 2025. The motion to not renew was made by the CEO performance review committee and carried after discussion by board members who cited strained relationships with key partners, repeated audit findings and lingering operational weaknesses.

The committee’s recommendation and the full-board vote followed public comment both supporting and criticizing Webb’s tenure. Speakers who praised Webb noted operational improvements and awards; other speakers and board members pointed to concerns including internal-control weaknesses, vendor and contracting problems identified during recent audits and employee morale issues.

Board members on the committee said their recommendation reflected a strategic decision about the leadership the hospital will need going forward. The committee report cited: ongoing weaknesses in internal controls and audits; periodic lapses in physician and employee engagement scores; problems in the hospital’s relationship with Meharry Medical College; and accounts payable and cash-flow pressures.

After the nonrenewal vote, the board unanimously accepted Webb’s resignation letter as submitted Feb. 26 and approved his earlier-noted effective departure date of March 14, 2025. Board members said the acceptance was intended to provide a clear transition timeline.

The board did not publicly provide a timeline for selecting an interim or permanent successor. Members said transition planning, including steps to stabilize operations and maintain continuity of patient care, will be discussed in upcoming meetings and during a closed strategic session scheduled at the end of the Feb. 27 meeting.

Webb, who served about a decade as CEO, told the board he was proud of several initiatives launched during his tenure and asked that the hospital’s staff and programs not be judged harshly amid the leadership change. He said accomplishments include new clinical programs and improvements in operating margin and quality scores.

The board’s actions on Feb. 27 were procedural formalities that will be followed by administrative steps to manage the operational transition. The board chair said the authority will announce further details about transition staffing and search plans when those are finalized.","The Hospital Authority Board accepted CEO Joseph Webb's notice that he will not seek renewal and voted to not renew his contract; board also accepted his effective departure date of March 14, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board Reviews Overhauled Conflict‑of‑Interest Policy, Votes to Table Pending Legal Review

Board Reports Progress, Continued Questions in Meharry Medical College PSA Negotiations

Nashville General Finance Report: Cerner Implementation, State Funding Uncertainty and Cash‑on‑Hand Concerns

Internal and Metro Audits Substantiate Overbilling, Missing Contracts and Falsified Records at Nashville General

Nashville General CEO Joseph Webb to Leave; Board Votes Not to Renew Contract