Erlanger Privatization to be Complete in 2024

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Hamilton County is moving ahead with the plan to transition Erlanger Medical Center from a public entity to a private non-profit.

The move has been in the works for Several Months, and, according to Mayor Jim Coppinger, is intended to make Erlanger a more competitive hospital.

“Erlanger Hospital is about a two billion dollar economy in Hamilton County, so they’re really, really important to us. And all this really does, I hope the taxpayers understand, is it makes them more competitive.”

Richard Cowart of law firm Baker Donelson discussed Erlanger’s fifty page mission statement on the transition with the County Commission.

According to that statement, the county has the ability to resume public control of the hospital if it encounters financial distress or violates the outlined community covenants.

“Erlanger must honor the mission and community covenants that have been designed, and if they do not honor those covenants, then there’s a way to say, to come back in and say that can return to an authority if necessary.”

According to Cowart, very little will change for the those employed at Erlanger.

Erlanger personnel and medical staff will be unaffected by the transition; the Children’s Hospital will remain open; and the hospital will continue to be a level one trauma center.

“They can be competitive. They’re still an indigent care hospital. You have placements made to be sure that all policies are followed. And the employee benefits are taken care of.”