Past due bills for Cooper Green total $11.5 million

Jefferson County officials continue to work to straighten out Cooper Green Mercy Hospital's financial troubles.

Tuesday, Jefferson County Chief Financial Officer George Tablack says the hospital's past due bills are about $11.5 million. Some Jefferson County Commissioners say they are not surprised.

"That is what we predicted early June what the number would be," Joe Knight, Jefferson County Commissioner, said.

But Cooper Green Hospital is expected to get in millions of dollars soon to close the gap to about $2 million. Tablack says he will provide commissioners final numbers before they vote next week on the new budget.

"We just want to know where we are at at the end of the day, the fiscal year on Cooper Green. That is what we want to know," Knight said.

Next week the county commission will vote to hire a consulting firm $208,000 to help transition from an inpatient care hospital to an outpatient primary care facility.

"We need someone who has had the experience in healthcare. He has had over 25 years of experience in the healthcare business making the transformation at different hospitals," Tony Petelos, Jefferson County Manager said.

Commissioner George Bowman, who supports keeping inpatient care, questions the need to hire the consulting firm.

"They have decided to have that particular individual and I recommend you talk them. I had nothing to do with that decision whatsoever," Bowman said.

State Representative John Rogers will hold a news conference concerning indigent care at Cooper Green Hospital and Jefferson County on Thursday.

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