New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System has been approved to manage the operations of Hancock Medical Center, a 47-bed, county-owned hospital in Bay St. Louis, Miss., according to a Sea Coast Echo report.
The Hancock County board of supervisors approved the measure in a 5-0 vote. Ochsner will replace Quorum Health Resources, a hospital management subsidiary of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems.
According to a Sun Herald report, Ochsner will manage Hancock Medical Center for 90 days, pending a finalized contract. After the initial timeframe expires, both parties will revisit the contract.
The county-owned hospital and Hancock County itself have been struggling financially. In August, the Hancock Medical Center board asked the county for a $6.1 million bond to cover construction costs and operating budget issues, according to the reports. The hospital plans to lay off an unspecified number of employees in the process. The county, meanwhile, plans to cut its budget 6 percent this upcoming fiscal year, which will result in layoffs across several departments.
More Articles on Hospital Transactions:
Spectrum Health, Memorial Medical Center Finalize Affiliation
University of Maryland Medical System to Operate Fort Washington Medical Center
Chester County Hospital Joins University of Pennsylvania Health System