S.R.H.S. Empolyees Speak Out at Jackson Co. Meeting

A group of both former and current Singing River Health System (S.R.H.S.) employees spoke out Monday at the Jackson County Board of Supervisors meeting. The group wanted an update on what is being done to help Singing River find financial stability and to make the process transparent.

Singing River Health System Hopes is a group of almost 1,000 people who are trying to make sure Jackson County officials are doing everything they can to find a solution to Singing River’s financial problems. Monday, it was revealed that S.R.H.S. has only 23 days of covered expenses in the bank. They need 60 days to receive money from its county bond to help cover its debt. Trudy Nelson, a spokeswoman for Singing River Health System Hopes, says, "We only have 22 out of 66 and the Jackson County had agreed to cover $106 million and one week of payroll is $4 million."

Nelson also stressed to the Jackson County supervisors that the employees want more information on how this happened and a say in the decision making process. Nelson says, "To let the Board of Supervisors know that we’re still here, and ask for a meeting with the Board of Supervisors and the Board of Trustees, and the current administration of the hospital."

Jackson County Supervisor, Melton Harris, agreed with Nelson on her views about the lack of transparency. Harris says, "I think that credibility can be restored, but we can’t do it by putting a smoke screen up everywhere and running and hiding. I think that is the thing we have to do to restore that credibility."

Supervisor Troy Ross believes transparency plays a huge role in this situation and that Singing River employees should have a say in the solution to this problem. Ross says, "I think when we come together talk to people about those real issues and find out what’s bothering them and what they think the solutions could be, it’s only going to make our end decision better."

The supervisors, along with S.R.H.S. hope group are now awaiting the findings of the state auditor and plan to hold a meeting between all parties, including past Singing River administration once the findings are revealed. Representatives from S.R.H.S. were not present at the Jackson County Supervisors’ meeting.