New council to decide fate of future hospital

By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Will the newly appointed Statewide Health Coordinating Council vote in favor of adding more hospital beds in Madison County?
Madison Mayor Jan Wells said in a recent conversation she's had with Gov. Bob Riley, Riley has assured her that he will move forward in appointing a new council. The new council will vote either yes or no in approving Crestwood Hospital's request to adjust the State Health Plan that would allow an additional 120 hospital beds in Madison County. A yes vote is the only way Crestwood Hospital can proceed with its plans to build a 120-bed full service hospital in Madison.
On Dec. 4, 2002, members of the current Statewide Health Coordinating Council tabled the issue in adjusting the plan. Riley asked the council to carry over the issue so that his newly appointed council could handle it. A meeting of the council could come as early as February.
Crestwood Hospital CEO Brad Jones said he's not giving up and he'll go back to Montgomery again to present his request to the council. Jones said Riley told him the issue of getting a hospital in Madison is something he could see supporting.
On the local level, more than 700 individuals have joined the Citizens For Madison's Hospital organization to fight in getting the plan adjusted. More than 4,300 letters of support have been written on the issue.