Kingsport, Tenn.-based Wellmont Health System closed the hospital in 2013, and the county sold it to Americore in 2017. Americore has missed several deadlines for reopening the hospital, including one on Dec. 31.
“After a week of no activity and no response from Americore, the chairman delivered letters of default to Americore,” said Howard Elliot, commissioner of the Lee County Hospital Authority.
Lee County’s certificate of public need was set to expire Dec. 31, but state officials have extended it four years to allow the county to find another company to operate the hospital. Though Americore had been uncommunicative with Lee County since November, it responded to notice that their partnership would be ended, The Roanoke Times reports.
Americore has reportedly failed to pay taxes and utilities for a hospital it operates in Pennsylvania and has repeatedly missed payroll. It also missed payroll dates for the hospital it owns in Pineville, Ky.
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