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Commissioner urges support for certificate of need amid local hospital dispute
Summary
During the consent agenda discussion, Commissioner Gallant urged fellow officials to back a certificate of need for Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar hospitals, criticized Tenova Healthcare's opposition letters, and encouraged attendance at a July 23 State House event; the consent agenda item supporting a certificate of need was approved 21-0.
During consideration of the consent agenda on July 14, Commissioner Gallant called attention to a public report that Tenova Healthcare had sent letters to the state opposing expansion by Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar hospitals in Clarksville. Gallant criticized Tenova's action as "appalling, extremely unprofessional, and uncalled for" and said the community needs expansion in health care services. Gallant told colleagues the county's population is approaching that of Chattanooga and argued the community "needs" and "demands" additional hospitals. He urged colleagues and residents to go to the State House on July 23 to support obtaining a certificate of need for the two hospital systems. Gallant thanked "Chris Smith" for posting the update on the county website. The consent agenda — which included "Resolution 25-7-2, resolution in support of health care providers request for a certificate of need" among other routine items — was approved by a motion with a roll-call tally of 21 yes votes, 0 nos and 0 abstentions. The transcript records Gallant's remarks as part of the consent-agenda discussion; no separate motion or amendment addressing the Gallant comments is recorded.
