Singing River Health System holds public forum on options for continued care

A crowded board meeting in Jackson County offered information regarding the potential sale of Singing River Health System.

Singing River doctors, board members, nurses, patients, and Jackson County residents spoke about the need to keep local care in the county.

Residents have two options: vote to raise taxes, which leaves the burden on the taxpayers to bring in the capital needed to sustain the health system or agree to partner with a like-minded company who will provide monies needed to continue local care.

The business enterprise value of Singing River is between $220 million to $300 million. SRHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Randy Roth said, “The better option is not to tax our people in the community. I love Mississippi. I choose to live here. It’s the poorest state in the country. So, if we can get a like-minded partner to help us get capital, take care of our patients at our three facilities, that’s a great tool instead of having to raise taxes to help the healthcare system. We have some partners that would be good at that.”

The meeting addressed residents concerns of pensions, settlements, debts, and other financial apprehensions.

Jackson County board members make it clear the partnership sale includes those money concerns.