Montgomery’s city and county governments took different approaches this week on whether to provide additional financial support to Jackson Hospital.
Officials acknowledge the outcome will have significant consequences for healthcare access in the River Region.
Yesterday, the Montgomery City Council voted to approve additional funding for Jackson Hospital, increasing the city’s total financial commitment from $15 million to $22.5 million.
City officials discussed concerns about patient displacement, workforce impacts, and the strain further service reductions could place on surrounding hospitals.
Also yesterday, the Montgomery County Commission considered a separate resolution to provide additional funding — but declined to approve it.
During the county’s formal session, commissioners voted on a proposal to authorize $7.5 million in new county funding over three years, but the measure failed on a 2-2 vote with one abstention, leaving the county’s previously approved $10 million commitment unchanged, according to the commission’s meeting transcript.
During deliberations, county commissioners confirmed that the earlier $10 million allocation remains committed to Jackson Hospital. Discussion during the meeting also linked the timing of the vote to ongoing bankruptcy proceedings involving the hospital, with commissioners noting that failure to act could affect the hospital’s ability to secure additional financial support.
Because the state was expected to match any additional county funding, the failed vote eliminated the possibility of up to $15 million in combined funding tied to the county’s participation.
City council members said during their meeting that patients were already being diverted outside Montgomery due to limited bed availability.
They warned that further instability at Jackson Hospital could force more residents to seek care in Birmingham, Huntsville, or other cities. Council members also referenced the hospital’s approximately 2,200 employees, noting that job losses could ripple through Montgomery’s economy, affecting housing, local businesses, and tax revenues, according to the City Council transcript.
City officials said Jackson Hospital must secure the remaining portion of its $293 million funding need by December 31 to stabilize its financial situation.
In a statement released after the vote, the Montgomery County Commission said the failed resolution does not change its prior $10 million commitment to Jackson Hospital.
County commissioners also indicated during their meeting that future funding could return to the agenda if additional local or regional partners step forward to share in the hospital’s financial responsibility.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
