City, physicians seek to halt Quorum's closure of Ohio hospital

Physicians and Massillon, Ohio, city officials are seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health from closing Affinity Medical Center in Massillon for 120 days.

Quorum, a spinoff of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, announced plans in early January to shut down the facility on Feb. 4 due to financial troubles. The company said declining revenues, increasing provider compensation and a competitive market caused Affinity Medical Center to record financial losses for the last six years.

David Dingwell, an attorney representing the city, said the 120-day delay would ensure the hospital can "carefully and cautiously transition patient care," according to WKSU.

Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, said the city should look into eminent domain proceedings as a way to take over the hospital. However, Mr. Dingwell told WKSU that may not be a viable option in this case, as eminent domain is typically used when a private landowner refuses to sell property to the government.

A hearing on the injunction is scheduled for Jan. 23.

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