CELINA-After announcing late last month Cumberland River Hospital (CRH) would be taking the first step towards reopening here last week, officials with the new ownership group have released a statement explaining why it didn’t happen last Friday.

The opening of a clinic was scheduled to occur on November 15 signaling an end to a nearly eight-month local healthcare hiatus created when the hospital’s doors were shuttered last spring by Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC)—which owned and operated CRH as a subsidiary since 2012 and recently sold the iconic healthcare facility for $200,000 to Johnny Presley and Rural Hospital & Clinics of America, LLC.

At the same time the clinic opening was announced, CRH administrator Don Downey also set a January 1, 2020 date for “emergency room and all services” to be available, but Presley was also quoted saying the date was “tentative” and would occur “assuming everything goes fine.”

The news release titled “Hospital in a fight to reopen” explained the holdup was due to a delay in the release of the facility’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provider number.

The following is the CRH statement printed as received:

After the doors of Cumberland River Hospital were shuttered over eight months ago, Mr. Johnny Presley purchased the facility in early August and has sought to provide a fully functional facility, including a Physicians Clinic, Emergency Room Services, Surgical Services, Acute Care and Geriatric Psychiatry Units, Home Health Services, Wound Care Clinic, and other specialty services to adequately serve our community.

Mr. Presley has since faced numerous obstacles obtaining a “deed” for the hospital in an uphill battle for the citizens of Clay County and surrounding areas. 

Mr. Presley received the Bill of Sale for the hospital from Cookeville Regional Medical Center on October 28, 2019.  Mr. Presley is still awaiting the release of the CMS provider number needed for the facility to be allowed to operate.

Mr. Presley, Owner/President, and Mr. Don Downey, CEO, sought out and joined forces with State Representative Kelly Keisling, State Senator Mark Pody, and Governor Bill Lee to fight for the expedited release of these numbers from state and federal officials.

Mr. Presley continues to persevere stating, “It’s a passion and a calling that I feel like I need to do.” 

Despite all efforts, these numbers have yet to be released. Due to these set backs, we are unable to open the clinic as planned on November 15, 2019.

We are writing this letter to not only inform you as citizens of Clay County, but also to urge you as the community to reach out to Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Congressman John Rose, and President Donald Trump to help get this provider number.

Show the importance of the hospital to this community by raising awareness to our elected representatives. Share your story of how Cumberland River Hospital has made a difference in your life. Show your support and dedication to keeping Cumberland River Hospital serving our community.

Help bring healthcare closer to home by calling:

• Congressman John Rose at (202) 224-3121,

• Senator Lamar Alexander at (202) 224-4944,

• Senator Marsha Blackburn at (202) 224-3344, and

• President Donald Trump (White House Switchboard) at (202) 456-1414.

See a future HORIZON for more on this ongoing story and search this site for past stories concerning this issue.