City officials are still searching for a solution to prevent Fulton Medical Center from closing in September, but it's not looking good.
"I wish I had quite a bit of good news to report," Fulton Mayor LeRoy Benton told City Council members Tuesday evening at their monthly meeting. "We're looking for an organization to come in and provide urgent care, if nobody comes in to take over the operation."
Fulton Medical Center joint owners NueHealth and University of Missouri Health Care both announced future intentions last month.
In December 2014, the Fulton Medical Center (then named Callaway Community Hospital) was purchased by NueHealth, a health management company in Leawood, Kansas, and University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia. NueHealth owned 65 percent of the venture while MU Health Care owned 35 percent, which - according to the terms of their operating agreement - they could sell back to Fulton Medical Center LLC. On July 18, MU Health Care announced its intentions to do so. On July 24, NueHealth announced plans to close the hospital by Sept. 22, but has not responded to questions whether the associated clinic would also close and where patient records are going.
NueHealth has told local officials the price tag on the 37-bed hospital/emergency room is $6 million, Benton said.
"They're like an auto dealership - they're stuck on sticker price," he added.
The clock is ticking toward the closing date, Benton also said.
"I think it behooves us, as a community, to make sure we have another alternative," he added.
Another meeting among local officials, including Callaway County commissioners, is set for this morning.
Benton said the hospital's impending closure is still a major topic of local discussion.
"Discussions - I have them everywhere I go," he added. "It's been a real education."