Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Care topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Carter County commission narrowly rejects citizen-backed resolution raising concerns about Ballad Health oversight
Summary
The Carter County Board of Commissioners voted 11–9 with two abstentions to reject a resolution urging scrutiny of Ballad Health and local hospital operations after public testimony and divided debate.
The Carter County Board of Commissioners voted down a citizen-backed resolution that would have expressed countywide concerns about the level of health care services and oversight of Ballad Health.
The measure, introduced in the Health & Welfare Committee and read aloud by Attorney Hardin before the vote, was moved by Commissioner Nancy Brown and seconded by Commissioner Avery Wynn. The roll call returned 11 yes, 9 no and 2 abstentions, and the motion failed.
Supporters of the resolution framed it as a response to resident complaints and examples raised during the public-comment period. Danielle Goodrich, who identified herself as from Washington County and spoke during public comment, thanked the commissioners “for voting to have this Resolution to Ballad written” and urged the board to pass it so it can be taken to Nashville. James Byrd, a local resident, told commissioners that he believed Ballad’s market dominance had contributed to service problems and cited an $8.6 million advertising figure he said the system spent over three years.
Opponents warned that the resolution could prompt unintended consequences. During debate several commissioners expressed concern about the potential for Ballad Health to reduce services or take other actions in response to a formal county statement. Two commissioners abstained from the vote; Attorney Hardin had read the resolution in open session prior to the roll call.
The failed motion leaves proponents planning next steps. Commissioner Angie Odom said after the vote she planned to travel to Nashville to press the matter further; Commissioner Nancy Brown thanked colleagues who supported the measure. The commission provided no subsequent directive to staff to pursue a formal county investigation during the meeting.
The public comment record and the roll-call vote were the meeting’s most contested items; the board moved on to other agenda business and adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
