Published: August 29, 2008 01:11 pm      

Officials: Selling Natchez hospital only option

NATCHEZ — Natchez Regional Medical Center will be sold.

That was the only issue discussed during a public meeting held this week ahead of an expected vote by the Adams County Board of Supervisors to sell the financially struggling hospital.

NRMC CEO Scott Phillips told 50 people at Wednesday’s public meeting that because the hospital is a stand alone hospital, not part of a large medical system, it has a hard time attracting physicians.

Phillips says the hospital is understaffed and has wasted exorbitant amounts of money trying to recruit and retain doctors.

Phillips says a qualified buyer who purchased NRMC would invest millions of dollars in the facility inevitably causing growth.

Phillips estimated the hospital would sell for between $25 million and $35 million.