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Dunn Hospital Sale Approved

Last updated on Wednesday, June 16, 2010

(BEDFORD, IN) - Lawrence County commissioners and the Lawrence County council approved the sale of Dunn Memorial Hospital to St. Vincent Health Tuesday evening.

This news follows that of Clarian Health, the owner of Bedford Regional Medical Center, announcing a $60 million dollar investment into building a new BRMC building.

During Tuesday's public hearing, officials with St. Vincent Health expressed why the company is interested in purchasing Dunn hospital.

Following that, several Lawrence County residents spoke their views on whether or not the hospital purchase should take place.

John Davis, an EMS worker at Dunn, shared his concerns over the continuation of ambulance services at the hospital, to which St. Vincent officials replied "sometimes having strategic partners is important and what you can count on is that we will do what is best for the community."

Later during the hearing, resident Lloyd Davis states "everybody says that competition is good in the free market/capitalism system except in health care. Well, here we have two non-governmental entities that are going to provide healthcare for the citizens of Lawrence County without any governmental money or support, so I say let the competition begin," which prompted applause among those present at the hearing.

County commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of the sale with the county council voting 7-0 in favor.

The facility will be sold for about $7 million plus the value of the hospital's inventory.

The deal is expected to close by the end of the month.

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