Tennessee has only 6 hospitals capable of treating all healthcare needs (Level 1). Tennessee allowed a monopoly and closed or made “band aid” locations in small communities. The result of this move is a socialist healthcare model that doesn’t work. The Level 1 hospitals are over capacity and quality healthcare is no longer available.
I did not realize what this monopoly has done until I took my 94 year old Grandmother to Johnson City Medical Center in July of 2024. When we arrived the lobby was at capacity with patients been seen in the lobby. There was no widespread traumatic incident; it was just a normal day.
When we finally received a hallway bed in the er complete with a manual bell on the wall and no privacy, I fully realized the impact of a monopoly. My grandmother was there with symptoms of a heart attack and was in a hallway! There were six beds on that particular hallway and all had patients. The other hallways have them lined as well although I didn’t count the beds.
While it is impossible to accept these conditions for patients, I can’t even imagine working in these conditions where you don’t have what you need to proficiently perform your job.
We need healthcare competition or a larger hospital to accommodate the needs of our region. Do better State of Tennessee and Ballad! Our people deserve dignity when being treated!
*Note that since July when this was originally posted and linked to Gov. Bill Lee, Ballad, and WJHL, our local news station, there was an announcement of an addition to the emergency room. While it will help with the emergency room, it will not help for patients waiting for a bed who have to stay beyond the initial treatment.
