Clarksville Commissioners Support Hospital Expansion Against Tenova Healthcare Opposition

A heated discussion on healthcare expansion took center stage at the Montgomery County Commission meeting on July 14, 2025, as Commissioner Gallant voiced strong opposition to Tenova Healthcare's recent actions. Hours before the meeting, Tenova sent letters to state officials opposing the entry of Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar hospitals into the Clarksville area, a move Gallant deemed unacceptable.

Gallant emphasized the urgent need for healthcare services in a rapidly growing community, stating, "Our population is about to surpass Chattanooga, which has 11 hospitals, while we have only one." He criticized Tenova for not expanding its services to meet community demands and called for support to secure a certificate of need for the new hospitals. "If Tenova truly cared about the health care of our community, they would have expanded their services," he asserted.

The commissioner urged fellow members to rally at the State House on July 23 to advocate for the healthcare expansion, highlighting the importance of having multiple healthcare providers to serve the community effectively. The commission unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the resolution to support the healthcare expansion, with 21 votes in favor and none against.

In addition to the healthcare discussions, the commission also approved a resolution for tax relief for eligible taxpayers in Montgomery County, further emphasizing the meeting's focus on community welfare. The session concluded with reports on building codes and budget updates, but the anticipated resolution regarding rule suspension was pulled from the agenda as it was not ready for discussion.