The Nashville, Tenn., Metropolitan Council questioned members of Mayor Megan Barry's administration during a committee meeting Monday about plans to end inpatient care at Nashville General Hospital, according to The Tennessean.
Ms. Barry announced plans Nov. 9 to end inpatient care at the safety-net hospital and transition the facility to an ambulatory surgery center. The plan requires council approval before it can be implemented.
Many members of the council voiced displeasure at the administration's lack of clarity regarding the plan, as representatives of Ms. Barry were unable to answer many of the council's questions.
"I take it as a total area of disrespect right now by the administration and whoever else to come in here on such a pivotal decision that we have to make, and have such vagueness and not necessarily answer our questions," Councilman DeCosta Hastings said, according to The Tennessean.
The administration also said it will seek additional city funding to stabilize the facility for the rest of the year, though it did not specify how much it needed. Ms. Barry said she plans to establish a fund to cover hospitalization costs for low-income patients at private hospitals if inpatient care at Nashville General ends.
The council said it will consider the plan, though the administration will need to provide answers moving forward.
"I know there's a lot of questions that are unanswered on this, but we're going to continue move forward with this and seek answers. We owe it to our constituents," said Councilwoman Tanaka Vercher, chairwoman of the council's budget and finance committee, according to The Tennesean.