Financially troubled Fort Oglethorpe-based Hutcheson Medical Center will shut down Dec. 4, according to The Chattanooga Times Free Press.
The distressed hospital filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last November in hopes of restructuring debt to stabilize the organization and ensure long-term viability. However, Hutcheson, which has laid off 128 employees in recent months, currently does not have enough cash flow to support itself.
On Oct. 30, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Paul Bonapfel ordered Hutcheson to shut down within 30 days if no buyer for the struggling hospital was found. On Thursday, Hutcheson's employees were informed the hospital will close its doors Dec. 4.
Hutcheson employees, who were speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, told The Times Free Press that Hutcheson executives relayed the closing date to them Thursday morning at a town hall meeting.
Hutcheson CEO Farrell Hayes declined to comment to The Times Free Press about the hospital's closing date.
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