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Mills County tables action on Hendrick hospital indigent-care billing pending invoices
Summary
The court tabled action on an outstanding hospital billing matter after county officials said they had not received invoices and needed more paperwork; speakers traced the billing to prior years and said hospital participation in indigent-care arrangements has changed since an earlier ownership transition.
The Mills County Commissioners Court on Feb. 3 tabled consideration of a payment dispute related to hospital bills submitted to the county for indigent care.
Sheriff (name not specified) described receiving a bill “roughly it’s $80,000 worth and they’ve settled for 5” and said county staff needed an invoice and documentation before the court could act. Several court members and staff said they lacked the paperwork required to determine whether the bill was a final settlement or whether additional invoices might follow.
County Treasurer Miss Campbell was identified in the discussion as the official who would help reconcile records; the court also referenced outreach to a person named Amanda Williams for historical context on jail-related transports and billing. Speakers said the matter dated back several years, with references in the discussion to billing traces from 2006 and 2016 and to a change in the local hospital ownership (Brownwood hospital referenced as now being affiliated with Hendrick).
Commissioner Williams moved to table the item to allow staff time to collect invoices and documentation; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The court recorded that staff (Miss Campbell and others) will follow up to obtain invoices and settlement records before the matter returns to the agenda.
During discussion, participants noted inconsistent prior practices under previous administrations and said they expected a different level of participation from the current hospital ownership in indigent-care arrangements going forward. County staff and commissioners did not approve any payment at the meeting.
Next steps recorded: county treasurer and county staff will compile invoices and supporting paperwork and return the item to a future agenda for formal action.
