CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennova Healthcare has formally filed legal objections with the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, opposing plans by Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar to build two new full-service hospitals in Clarksville.

According to documents obtained by Clarksville Now, Tennova argues the additional hospitals are unnecessary and could increase health care costs for residents.

In the letters, Tennova points to the existing infrastructure in Montgomery County, specifically Tennova-Clarksville and Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, as sufficient to meet current patient demand. They also cite that more than one-third of the county is covered under TriCare, the military insurance program that directs beneficiaries to Blanchfield.

Despite Tennova's objections, local officials are voicing strong support for the proposed expansion. On Monday, the Montgomery County Commission passed a resolution backing both Saint Thomas and TriStar's plans.

"It is not up to Tennova to dictate who can or cannot do business in our county," one commissioner said. "When we are looking at a population increase that's about to surpass Chattanooga — and Chattanooga has 11 hospitals with four general hospitals, while we only have one — we need expansion in our health care sector."

Ascension Saint Thomas is seeking to build a 44-bed, $148.5 million facility off Exit 11, while TriStar's $268 million proposal includes a 68-bed hospital on Tiny Town Road. Both projects require Certificates of Need from the state to move forward.

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on July 23 in Nashville, where the fate of the project will be decided.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/clarksville/closing-arguments-underway-in-a-clarksville-health-care-battle/