In September, Missoula Community Medical Center entered into an agreement to be sold to Billings Clinic Regional Care Hospital. 

Since that time, there has been much said as to the pros and cons regarding the sale. Now, the public will have a chance to weigh in on the issue at a public meeting called by Montana Attorney General Tim Fox, Wednesday, November 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Hellgate High School.

Spokesman John Barnes said a great deal of public comment has already been received on the issue.

"The next step is to have a public forum that will take place next Wednesday at Hellgate High School," Barnes said. "We're going to have the parties to the transaction who will each give a presentation. In addition, we will have some representatives from our Office of Consumer Protection to discuss the scope of our review of the transaction, and then the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments."

Barnes outlined the Attorney General's legal involvement in the sale.

"According to Montana law, the Attorney General's office has an oversight authority over nonprofits in this state," he said. "And because Community Medical Center is a nonprofit organization, and the proposed acquisition is to a for profit business, the Billings Clinic, it would essentially be converting Community Medical Center into a for profit business, so there are charitable assets there that must be dealt with properly."

Barnes said following the public meeting, his staff will gather all the comments together and use them to assist the Attorney General in determining if the sale will be approved. He said the process should be completed by the end of the year.

 

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