Cooper Green supporters fill Jeffco Commission meeting

A large group of people attended the Jefferson County committee meeting on Tuesday morning to show their support for Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. The committee room was so packed out that the meeting was relocated to the chamber.

Reverend Michael Wesley of the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and attorney Emory Anthony made a presentation before the commission on the importance of the indigent care fund and Cooper Green Hospital. Anthony stated in the presentation that the county needs to look closer at their finances. He says a fund containing $71-million was being held for the hospital, but that the hospital never received the money. He also alleged that $500-million of the county's indigent fund is missing and that the county should straighten out their own finances before attempting to close Cooper Green.

"Find out where this money is going before you make Cooper Green the whipping boy of this community," said Anthony.

Commissioners denied any accusations of stealing money from the fund and stated that part of the indigent care fund goes to the Jefferson County Health Department. Commissioners did agree that a audit was needed, both on the county's finances and on the hospital's finances.

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