Tell me again...

So tell me again why this Spring Hill Hospital is such a bad idea...
Maury Regional and the political leaders in City of Columbia are opposing this thing tooth and nail and it seems to me that even the citizens of Columbia see a need for this hospital in Spring Hill.

Here is an interesting poll from the Columbia Daily Herald. This is yesterday's snapshot, so I will take another look at it later today to see how it has progressed.

Here is the website for the #1 opponent of the Spring Hill Hospital thus far.
Check out the Coalition 4 Care Website
Take a look at this photo from their website and tell me if you think this reflects the demographic of Columbia, or for that matter Spring Hill?


I am amazed to hear all of this opposition from political leaders and "grassroots" community groups in cities outside of Spring Hill. They are taking a stance against a hospital that is not only a great need in the region, but are going against the opinions of citizens in their respective communities.

If you want to hear the opinions of the people, and the true reasons behind the opposition, here is an article to read from the The Advertiser News.

How Do You Feel About the HCA Hospital?
We interviewed Spring Hill, Thompson's Station and Columbia residents 'on the street' concerning the HCA hospital coming to Spring Hill. Here is what they had to say.
Compiled by Melissa Webb and Dan Copp

When Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) announced its plans to build a $112 million hospital in Spring Hill, it unleashed a furor that enveloped both Maury and Williamson Counties.

While Spring Hill neighborhood such as the Wyngate Estates Homeowners Association have shown support for the proposed 56-bed facility, other forces have joined opposition for the project.

The Maury County commission and Columbia City Council have approved resolutions opposing the controversial hospital, while Maury County General Hospital recently announced the formation of Coalition4Care, an organization challenging HCA's plan for Spring Hill.

Proponents of a Spring Hill Hospital assert that the city's booming population of 22,000 is projected to explode to more than 40,000 within the next five years, which would warrant a sufficient health care facility.

The rift separating Spring Hill from its nearest two hospitals is another concern for those championing the HCA project.

The distance to Maury Regional Hospital has been estimated at 14.4 miles, and local patients commute an estimated 14.5 miles to Williamson Medical Center.

Coalition4Care, which is comprised of Maury Regional Hospital, the Hospital Alliance of Tennessee, Marshall Medical Center, Wayne Medical Center, Lewis Ambulatory Care Facility and several other healthcare professionals, claim a hospital in Spring Hill would have a harmful impact of neighboring medical facilities.

Maury Regional Hospital Chief Executive Officer J. Robert Otwell, who likened Coalition4Care's battle against HCA as "David and Goliath," said a Spring Hill hospital would spawn great financial strains for surrounding hospitals as well as impede their growth.

Maury County Mayor James L. Bailey worries about the financial affects HCA's proposal would have on Maury County General Hospital.

"Maury Regional Cannot afford to take a great loss of revenue right now," he said. "A second hospital in Maury County should be looked at as a possible threat to their survival. I have nothing against Spring Hill. It's very important to Maury County, but if such a hospital went in any other place, it would have the same threat. According to the figures the we've gotten, such a hospital would be detrimental to Maury County Regional's survival."

District 3 Williamson County Commissioner Clyde Lynch said Spring Hill's inhabitants would reap many benefits from having a hospital near their back yards.

"As far a Spring Hill is concerned, it's a good thing," he said. "It would closer and a whole lot handier. It'd be great for the people of Spring Hill."

Since opinions regarding a Spring Hill hospital are so varied, The Advertiser News recently hit the streets and asked the people what their thoughts were about the issue. Here's what they had to say.

Dr. Richard Robinette
Dentistry by Design
Spring Hill
"I am very glad of the possibility of a hospital locating in Spring Hill. It would be wonderful to have something close by."

Carl Brown
Spring Hill
"With the current population and growth projected, we need this hospital."

Myra Richardson
Spring Hill
"I think it'll be helpful because the people will have more than one option. They wouldn't have to drive so far."

Judy Hayes
District 3 Williamson County Commissioner
"I'm for improved emergency medical services for Spring Hill and for all of Williamson County. I plan on attending (HCA's future Town Hall meetings) to learn more about the issue to make sure every need is met. I just want the best service for the community."

Cindy White
Columbia
"I like Maury Regional, but a hospital in Spring Hill would be closer for me. I also would think all those subdivisions need it."

Ken York
Spring Hill City Administrator
"The city has factored in the growth rate and is prepared to service this area for the next 50 years, including the proposed HCA hospital facility. All utility lines are currently on the intended site. We're ready to go from an infrastructure standpoint."

Lee Nettles
Bethesda
"I feel we definitely need it. I think it's a great idea. As much as the city is growing, we need it."

Christine Berglund
Spring Hill
"Yes, we need a hospital in Spring Hill. My family is above the median age range. In the case of a stroke or heart attack, every minute counts."

Mayme Ryan
Spring Hill
"We definitely need a hospital in Spring Hill. I have a young family and it concerns me that I have to drive so far to get to a hospital, especially in an emergency. Also, with so many schools in Spring Hill, we need a hospital close by."

Dr. Scott Jobe
Spring Hill Medical Group/Centennial Medical Center
"A hospital in Spring Hill would not only provide much needed emergency care, but also, it would provide specialty medical services at a great convenience to the citizens of Spring Hill."

Peter Jenkins
Bestselling author and Spring Hill property owner
"Ray Williams, former Mayor of Spring Hill, died in his home two days after his 48th birthday. He was a great neighbor and a wonderful friend. He had a massive heart attack and it took the ambulance from Maury Regional 40 minutes to get to him...they got lost on the way. If we had, had a Spring Hill hospital then, Ray could have gotten services much sooner. Also, not very long ago, a young man in his 30's lay dying on the road waiting for an ambulance at the intersection of Kedron Road and Highway 31 after a horrible car accident. I am tired of excused for why Spring Hill doesn't have a hospital. I am thrilled that HCA wants to step up to the plate."

Dr. Dennis Gardener
Dentist
Spring Hill
"I am very interested to see what Tri-Star has to say. I am reserving my opinion until I can gather all the facts."

Sharon Cantrell
Spring Hill Alderwoman
"All of the people I have spoken with in Spring Hill and even in surrounding cities are very excited that HCA would be located here. I feel we have a real need, at such a distance from the two cities closest to us, to have a hospital in Spring Hill. It is literally a matter of life and death. I am very excited about the possibility of a Spring Hill hospital."

Toby Thompson
Spring Hill
"A hospital is much needed in Spring Hill."

Rita Jenkins
Spring Hill property owner and Spring Hill advocate
"Yes we need a hospital. We have needed one for a long time. A hospital can save lives and that is reason enough. Also we have such a huge little league program in Spring Hill and there is such a potential for accidents. We definitely need a hospital close by. Aside for healthcare benefits, the additional jobs a hospital could bring would be incredibly valuable to our community."

Barbara Bresee
Spring Hill
"I am definitely in support of a Spring Hill Hospital."

Earl O'Neal
Columbia
"You've already got an established hospital in Maury County. I don't understand how a second one would be an asset. I don't have anything against the people of
Spring Hill, but I just don't see how they can support it."

Dr. Mario Milani
Chiropractor in Spring Hill
"There is a great need for a hospital in Spring Hill. We definitely need something closer to home. Twenty to twenty-five minutes is too long to drive, especially in an emergency. Having something five or ten minutes away would be great for the community. The economic implementations would be great as well."

Phil Stack
Spring Hill
"If there's and emergency a new hospital would really help me because I live only two blocks away from where it's going. How can I say it's a bad thing when it's going to save my life?"

Mrs Inez Harvey,
Spring Hill resident for 10 years, Spring Hill property owner since 1962.
"I am definitely for a Spring Hill Hospital. We need a hospital. My husband and my grandson have a particular need to be close to a hospital. Out of concern for them and the members of our senior members of our community. I definitely support a hospital for Spring Hill."

Eric DeBerry
Franklin
"I think Spring Hill, with it's growth, is in need of a first class medical facility located in the community."

Sandy Robinette
Chair of the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
"I am extremely pleased with the opportunity for a hospital in Spring Hill."

Greg Langeliers
City Administrator for the City of Thompson's Station
"I definitely think that, eventually, the area between Franklin and Columbia will ultimately warrant a hospital. Is it now? I don't know. Where should it be? I don't know. It may not matter to Thompson's Station as a revenue source by and large, but as an employment generator that feeds the retail machine...maybe."

Richard Wilz
Columbia
"I think it'll be all right to have a hospital there. It'll be closer for the people in Spring Hill, especially since it's growing so rapidly."

Wanda Rogers
Columbia
"I don't understand why there's opposition to a new hospital in Spring Hill. There are a lot of people living in the area."

James L. Bailey
Maury County Mayor
"Maury Regional cannot afford to take a great loss of revenue right now. According to the figures we've got, a second hospital would be detrimental to Maury County General Hospital's survival."

Mike Demastus
Spring Hill Firefighter
"You have two great hospitals on each side of Spring Hill, but (a new hospital) would only benefit the people here because they would have something closer."

Clyde Lynch
District 3 Williamson County Commissioner
"As far as Spring Hill is concerned, a new hospital would do a whole lot of good. It would be a lot handier and great for the people of Spring Hill."

Ryan House
Spring Hill Chiropractor
"I think competition between hospitals doesn't have a place in health care. Whatever hospital better fills Spring Hill's need is the best place they should go."