Jackson Co. Board of Supervisors Supports Bill for Open Meetings

The Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to support Senate Bill 2407 to allow for transparency in hospital meetings and records.

June Drury is the wife of a Singing River Health System (S.R.H.S.) retiree who worked with the hospital for 32 years and is fighting to get the retirement money her and her husband deserve. Drury says, "We have over the past four years averaged about $17,000 in healthcare costs out of pocket, and if something happened to my husband, I would only be left with his social security benefit, which only would maybe cover insurances and taxes."

That’s why Drury attended the Jackson County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday to speak out in favor of Senate Bill 2407, which would allow the public access to hospital meetings and records that would normally take place behind closed doors. Drury also says, "That’s what we needed all along. I don’t think we would be where we are today with this pension plan had everything been transparent, but it wasn’t. It was hidden. It was covered up."

Even people who never worked for the hospital attended the meeting in support of the retirees and the push for transparency. Glen Slater, a Jackson County resident, says, "I wish them the best. I hope it turns out well for them. There are a lot of people who feel and think this way, but they don’t have the time, and sometimes even the inclination to act on it. I’m trying to act on it."

While the vote was not unanimous, one supervisor doesn’t think the situation calls for the bill just yet. Barry Cumbest, Jackson County Supervisor for District 1, says, "We’re early on in this process, deciding what happened, why it happened, and I think it’s just a little premature on coming out with a bill right now."

While the hospital is still in the midst of several lawsuits surrounding their pension plan, officials believe Monday’s vote to support more transparency in the health system.

Melton Harris Jr., Jackson County Supervisor for District 2, closes, "There are certain issues we know that do require executive session. Other than that, we think we should have as much transparency as we possibly can."