STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) -- County Supervisor Orlando Trainer has been heading up the process to try to either sell the Oktibbeha County Hospital or partner with another facility to boost health care capabilities.
"Mr. Trainer, there has been some suggestions that he meet with the Board of Trustees at the hospital and hospital adminstrators and talk about some things, just have an open discussion," said Supervisor Marvell Howell.
In last month's meeting the board of supervisors voted agianst having the hospital analyzed finacially with a 3-to-2 vote.
The board met Monday Night and no decision was made other than to have an analyst come in, free-of-charge, and answer questions from the public and those involved with the hospital early next month.
"The Board of Supervisors holds the ultimate dcision as far as moving forward with an analysis or even the sale of the hospital. There are some things that citizens of this county can do if they don't want to see that process move forward," said Howell.
Howells says talk involving the hospital being sold or analyzed has been a very sensitive and controversial subject for those in the community.
"Its such a sensitive subject because the hospital is owned by the citizens of this county and has been for over 30 years. And so people take pride in the ownership of Oktibbeha County Hospital and I think that just draws emotions, " continued Howell.
Supervisor Orlando Trainer says due to hospital's lack of capabilities in some medical areas, patients are seaking treatment instead at North Mississippi Medical Center. He says NMMC has made $27 million from Oktibbeha County residents.
