The Jefferson County Commission delayed a decision on whether it would close Cooper Green Mercy Hospital — the financially beleaguered safety-net hospital in Birmingham, Ala. — after protestors raised their arguments at the commission meeting, according to a Birmingham News report.
On Tuesday, the five-member commission was going to cast a final vote on whether it should close inpatient care and perhaps all of Cooper Green. Last week, the commission voted 3 to 2 in favor of shuttering the hospital's services.
However, hospital advocates, medical professionals, community activists and others voiced their concerns at the meeting. According to the report, several hospital advocates "screamed at commissioners" and refused to leave in what attendees said was "the most chaotic meeting" of the board since it was seated November 2010.
The JCC did not set a new date to meet on the future of Cooper Green, but law mandates the commission give 24-hour notice before the next meeting, according to the report.
On Tuesday, the five-member commission was going to cast a final vote on whether it should close inpatient care and perhaps all of Cooper Green. Last week, the commission voted 3 to 2 in favor of shuttering the hospital's services.
However, hospital advocates, medical professionals, community activists and others voiced their concerns at the meeting. According to the report, several hospital advocates "screamed at commissioners" and refused to leave in what attendees said was "the most chaotic meeting" of the board since it was seated November 2010.
The JCC did not set a new date to meet on the future of Cooper Green, but law mandates the commission give 24-hour notice before the next meeting, according to the report.
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