DONIPHAN -- Ripley County officials will begin contacting prospects to take over operation of a hospital and two rural health clinics in Doniphan, following concerns that SoutheastHEALTH is about to pull out of the county.
Officials say the clinics may see more interest than a hospital, which they fear could close by the end of the summer.
The clinics make money because they are cost reimbursed, while SoutheastHEALTH expects to lose about $2 million on other operations in the county in 2018, said Freddie Leroux, president of the hospital board of trustees.
Leroux spoke April 25 with county commissioners, and about 30 citizens who crowded into the commissioners' office for the meeting. The commissioners approved a motion to allow the hospital board to contact potential prospects to take over operation of the hospital and clinics.
The health care provider is looking to pull out of Ripley County, but no date has been given, according to Leroux. Trustees met April 23 with Southeast officials, including CEO Kenneth Bateman.
A spokesperson for Southeast has said the provider is not ready to formally disclose what options are being considered, and that more discussions would be held with the board of trustees.
Southeast signed a 10-year lease in 2017 for the hospital, and also runs the two rural health clines and a physical therapy center in Doniphan. The lease includes an out-clause with a 90-day notice, said Leroux.
During a town hall meeting in 2016, prior to a sales tax election, Bateman said Southeast was willing to take about $500,000 in annual losses at the Doniphan hospital. Southeast operations have been supported by two one-half cent county sales tax proposals approved by voters in 2010 and 2016.