Recently, a group out of Tennessee expressed interest in the hospital property. How will the timing of that inquiry impact this agreement?

There is no reason to delay Council’s consideration of the agreement. We have a hospital that is failing. We need to preserve as much of the hospital assets as possible and maintain health care despite the hospital’s decline. Our review of all of the facts, including multiple consultant reports — has convinced us that the most viable approach to delivering health care to the citizens of Lakewood is the one we have been negotiating with the Cleveland Clinic. It meets the needs of our community, and most importantly preserves continuity of care.

We will continue to consider any and all legitimate proposals to provide quality health care services to the citizens of Lakewood.