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Commissioners hear update on stalled WRMC sale; trustee may seek extension
Summary
County Manager Curtis Potter said the trustee handling the Washington Regional Medical Center sale may request another 30 days for buyer Affinity to find funding; WRMC reported 119 employees (38 retained), 12 inpatient beds and averages 8–11 patients. The board asked for a monthly update in April.
County Manager Curtis Potter told the Washington County Board that the sale of Washington Regional Medical Center (WRMC) has not closed and that the trustee handling the matter is expected to ask Affinity for an additional 30 days to secure funding.
Dr. Lee Ann Sorto, representing WRMC, reported that the hospital currently lists 119 employees, including 38 former workers who have remained on staff. She said WRMC has 12 inpatient beds now (the facility would like to operate 25) and averages eight to 11 patients. Commissioner Sexton asked whether some beds could be counted as swing beds; Dr. Sorto said any bed can be a swing bed and reiterated current inpatient counts.
Chair D. Cole Phelps and the board thanked Dr. Sorto and asked that WRMC provide a monthly update; she was scheduled to return in April.
Why it matters: The status of WRMC’s sale affects local access to inpatient and emergency services, county employment and the economic health of the hospital’s service area. The trustee’s request for additional time suggests uncertainty about the buyer’s ability to finalize the purchase.
Next steps: The board asked WRMC to return with a monthly update at the April meeting; no formal county action was taken at the March 3 meeting.
