Two members of The Metropolitan Council proposed a bill Tuesday preventing any changes to Nashville (Tenn.) General Hospital's operating agreement with the city until mid-2019, Nashville Public Radio reports.
The bill would halt Mayor Megan Barry's unexpected decision to end inpatient care at the facility, which she announced in November, citing competition and skyrocketing costs incurred by the hospital.
Several key Metro Council leaders have voiced their opposition to Ms. Barry's decision, and at least one council member declined to participate in the 11-member stakeholder team the mayor created. The team was tasked with crafting a formal proposal regarding the future of the hospital by early April, according to the report.
"I am not confident that this group can come up with any kind of recommendation for the city as it relates to the administration's announcement about General Hospital," said Tanaka Vercher, PhD, chair of the Metro Council's budget and finance committee, who declined to participate on the panel. She also noted Nashville General's CEO was not invited to participate as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
A spokesperson for Ms. Barry's office told Nashville Public Radio via email the proposed ordinance constitutes "political grandstanding" and the councilman who crafted the ordinance "didn't bother to contact the administration before he contacted the media about his legislation … We are reviewing more fully but it does not appear to actually do anything."