Opposition from Williamson Medical Center

Opposition specific to Williamson Medical Center

1. The recent $83 Million expansion recently completed by Williamson Medical Center has already taken into consideration the growth experienced in Spring Hill.

The HSDA did grant Certificates of Need (CN0205-035 & CN0211-115) for the $83 Million expansion of Williamson Medical Center that was completed in 2007. However, in the applications for these Certificates of Need, WMC included population projections to justify the need for this expansion. The population that WMC projected for Spring Hill and Thompson's Station in 2010 was 18,881. In 2007, the City of Spring Hill conducted a Special Census which was certified by the State of Tennessee and resulted in a population of 23,462.

Click here to view an excerpt from CON Application for CN0205-035 & CN0211-115

2. Officials from Spring Hill never approached Williamson Medical Center regarding building a hospital in Spring Hill.

With Spring Hill located in between Franklin and Columbia, it is not realistic to believe that WMC would be prepared to build a hospital in Spring Hill without opposition from MRH.

One of the things that was revealed during the appeals process is that in November 2005, before HCA filed the Spring Hill Hospital CON application, WMC consultants performed an analysis that concluded, among other things, that Williamson County would need additional hospital beds by 2010, and that, in addition to the 40 beds to be opened in 2007, WMC should open 60 more beds in 2010

Read excerpts from the Final Order Issued by the HSDA (Findings of Fact, Paragraph 24 and Conclusions of Law, Paragraph 7)

In November, 2005, WMC consultants performed an analysis that concluded, among other things, that Williamson County would need additional hospital beds by 2010, and that, in addition to the 40 beds to be opened in 2007, WMC should open 60 more beds in 2010...The HSDA further notes that Spring Hill is the fastest growing community in Williamson County, and therefore the 60 additional beds contemplated by WMC for 2010 would likely be most needed in the Spring Hill area.

3. Williamson Medical Center is not using tax-payer dollars to appeal Spring Hill Hospital and operates on its own revenues.

The Williamson Medical Center facilities are 100% owned by the citizens of Williamson County (Private Acts of 1957, Chapter 107). As of February 29, 2008, WMC has spent approximately $1,200,000 on the appeal, money that we believe should be utilized instead in Capital Improvements for WMC.

According to an article published by The Tennessean Williamson AM on May 7, 2008, WMC received $58,000 in Community Enhancement Grants from State Senator Jack Johnson and State Representatives Glen Casada and Charles Sargent. Funding for the Community Enhancement Grants came from a $20 million surplus from last year's budget for the State of Tennessee, Tax-Payer dollars. It only stands to reason that $58,000 in revenue received from Tax-Payer money has been used to fund the $1,200,000 that Williamson Medical Center has already spent as of February 29, 2008 on the appeal.

Read the article titled 'Williamson Medical receives $53,000 in grants' that was published by The Tennessean Williamson AM on May 7, 2008

Williamson Medical receives $53,000 in grants.

FRANKLIN — Three area legislators recently chose to support Williamson County and Williamson Medical Foundation by doling out $53,000 in Community Enhancement Grants.

Sen. Jack Johnson allocated $40,000, Rep. Charles Sargent designated $10,000, and Rep. Glen Casada secured $3,000 for Williamson Medical Foundation. The money will be used to help subsidize physicians at the Williamson County Health Department.

Community Enhancement Grants are funded by a $20 million surplus from Tennessee’s last budget year. State senators received $300,000 and representatives received $100,000 to distribute to non-profit and government organizations in their communities.

Prior to the gifts, Williamson Medical Center was on track to subsidize the Health Department $170,000 for the current fiscal year.

“These grants reduce WMC’s subsidy and help the Medical Center cope with rising costs and indigent care,” says Williamson Medical Foundation Executive Director Steve Smith. “In addition to providing funds for physicians at the Health Department, WMC aides the community by providing more than $1 million in indigent care each year.”

Williamson Medical Foundation serves as a charitable and development arm that supports Williamson Medical Center in providing health care services.

4. It is the position of the Williamson County Commission that they should not involve themselves in the appeal of Spring Hill Hospital.

In a letter to a Citizen for Spring Hill Hospital, the attorneys that represent the Williamson County Commission stated that the County Commission does not have the power to involve itself with directing WMC to end the appeal of Spring Hill Hospital. However, in June 2006, this same County Commission felt it necessary to involve itself in the application process for Spring Hill Hospital by passing a resolution opposing the Spring Hill Hospital. We feel that it is disingenuous for the County Commission to now take the position that it is not appropriate to get involved and urge Williamson County citizens to contact their County Commissioners to intercede on our behalf.

Read excerpts from from Williamson County Commission Resolution #6-06-7

WHEREAS, it is our considered judgment that (1) CN0604-028 ...does not meet any of the three statutory criteria; (2) said certificate of need application is not in the best interests of the citizens of Spring Hill...; (3) that there is no demonstratable need for a new hospital in Spring Hill; (4) that the financial feasibility of a new hospital in Spring Hill is highly doubtful...; (5) a new hospital in Spring Hill will not contribute to, but rather will contravene, the orderly development of health care...