Erlanger at Hutcheson is operating at a profit once again, but debt continues to cloud the Fort Oglethorpe Hospital's future. Unknown at the time of the merger with Erlanger last year, the hospital's total debt load is around 60-million dollars. 

The Catoosa County Commission has approved a short-term 23-million dollar bond anticipation note, so the hospital can rearrange its financing and pay off a portion of  the debt load.

Money from the Catoosa County bond will be used to settle the hospital's debt to medicare, which charges 11 percent interest. Two million will go to settle with other vendors, while 11 million will be used for capital improvements.

Walker County government is also being asked for a similar commitment and  Commissioner Bebe Heissel  appears to be agreeable. Attorneys say that esentially, Catoosa and Walker are being asked to pledge credit backing, not any direct payments. The value of the hospital assets should far exceed the debt, leaving county taxpayers with little or no risk, should the hospital default on the debt.
    Catoosa County also wants another representative spot on the Hutcheson board. Their pledge with the bond funding is contingent on their  receiving the new board position.