The Marshall County commissioners denied Marysville, Kan.-based Community Memorial Healthcare's request for a public vote on a sales tax increase to fund the facility's operations, according to The Marysville Advocate.
The hospital proposed a half-cent sales tax increase per dollar; however, the motion failed to gain enough support by commissioners on Monday to send the measure to a public vote.
"Due to the current environment we just wanted the citizens of Marshall County to be the ones to determine their support for the hospital," Bryce Porter, CMH board chairman, told The Marysville Advocate.
Since CMH is one of the few hospitals in Kansas without local tax support, it will face increased financial pressure as federal Medicare reimbursements are reduced, according to the report.
CMH CEO Curtis Hawkinson believes the commissioners' decision is final and he is not seeking alternatives, according to the report.