OKTIBBEHA COUNTY – Thursday’s deadline for signatures opposing the county’s sale of OCH Regional Medical Center came and went with no petition, clearing the way for supervisors to start searching for a buyer.
Supervisors voted in September to move forward with requesting proposals to sell the hospital to a private health care system. Citizens who oppose privatization had until Thursday to force a referendum on the matter by submitting a petition with 1,500 signatures of registered voters.
Voters overwhelmingly chose to keep OCH county-owned in 2017 when supervisors last tried to sell the hospital. But this time, no petition was submitted, Circuit Clerk Tony Rook confirmed to The Dispatch.
Board President and District 3 Supervisor Marvell Howard wasn’t surprised by the lack of opposition.
“I think there’s a different mindset than the last time (in 2017), and I think it’s because the public, health care providers, the board of supervisors and even the board of trustees realize that we’re probably fighting a losing battle,” Howard told The Dispatch on Thursday.
Raymond James Financial Services presented supervisors with the results of a feasibility study into OCH in August, which included details on the hospital’s income, revenue leakage, physician recruitment and retention, debt profile, utilization and capital expenditures.
The study recommended the board sell OCH, suggesting it look specifically for a “strategic capital partner” with a commitment to share resources, expand available services and fund capital needs.
The board held a public hearing Sept. 19, during which Mississippi State University and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership endorsed the sale. Some hospital staff members advocated for keeping OCH county-owned out of concern that privatization could negatively affect patients and staff.
What’s next?
Howard said he and Board Attorney Rob Roberson will meet with Raymond James Financial Services and the Butler Snow law firm Friday to start developing the RFP. At that time, they will determine a timeline for approving and releasing it, he said.
Finding a buyer committed to quality health care is the main priority, Howard said. Community support and engagement from the health care system is also something the board will be looking for.
“That’s the No. 1 thing,” he said. “We’re looking for a health care system that will grow at the rate and with the pace of the growth that is happening here in Oktibbeha County.”
District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer agreed with Howard, adding that privatization could make it easier for the hospital to grow and expand services.
“We are looking for someone that can advance and grow health care without being limited or impacted … because of things governmental hospitals have to abide by and someone that can be extremely competitive in this environment,” Trainer said.
The board will do its due diligence in making sure potential buyers have a positive impact on the communities they already serve, he said.
“Let’s look at their history and how it has impacted other communities. We’re not the first community to go through something like this,” Trainer said.
The board will be speaking with hospital leadership and staff to develop the RFP, District 1 Supervisor Ben Carver told The Dispatch.
“The main thing at this point … is that we’re going to call the hospital board in as an advisory committee and get their thoughts,” he said.
“Everybody’s just being extremely cooperative about what the next steps are and what they want to see this hospital look like in the future.”
OCH Trustee Yulanda Haddix said the hospital board intends to support whatever decision the board of supervisors make.
“I really hope that whatever happens, they realize that the community should be considered,” she told The Dispatch on Thursday. “… They did say they will work with us on it, so hopefully they’ll allow us to have a voice.”
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
