Hutcheson's brand new lease on life is great in regards to the welfare of the community and continued employment for hospital staff – BUT – and you knew that was coming – but, it also means that the sale of Hutcheson and a new settlement agreement will apparently clear the way for Erlanger to ask Walker and Catoosa counties to pay up; both had backed loans from Erlanger when the Chattanooga Hospital was managing Hutcheson – loans that reached into the millions of dollars – reportedly amounting to $10 million each.

The amount Erlanger receives from the negotiated sale of the various Hutcheson properties will be taken off the amount that it will seek from the counties.

(WQCH)