A letter of intent to purchase the Fleming County Hospital has been filed with LifePoint hospitals.
In a statement released by his office, FCH District Board Chairman Tony McGlone said "The Fleming County Hospital District Board of Directors has selected LifePoint Hospitals as its preferred strategic partner for the acquisition of FCH."
Despite the implications of the use of "acquitistion" in the statement, McGlone said the hospital is not being sold. He said he could not comment further on negotiations with LifePoint Hospitals.
LifePoint Hospitals owns 60 hospitals in 21 states, including Meadowview Regional Medical Center in Maysville, according to McGlone.
Fleming County Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy, who sits as a non-voting member on the hospital board, said the letter of intent is a non-binding agreement between the two entities.
"It's a non-binding agreement at the moment," Foxworthy said. "Should anything come up that neither party agrees with, that agreement could change."
Fleming County Hospital is currently operating as a district hospital, according to Chief Executive Officer David Faulkner. It is one of the very few hospitals in Kentucky operating in that manner, meaning it is not owned or operated by Fleming County.
"It used to be a county hospital," Faulkner said. "That is not that case now."
McGlone said, "As the board explored options to strengthen FCH and advance healthcare in our community in the future, LifePoint emerged as the perfect fit. The company has an excellent reputation for providing quality healthcare and a strong track record for successfully operating community hospitals, like ours."
Foxworthy said he is unsure what phase of negotiations the hospital is currently in with LifePoint, but he said he is aware that several options have been discussed, including an acquisition of the hospital or a partnership.
"There are several options being discussed for the hospital," Foxworthy said. "I don't know all of the details yet, but this is something that has been in the works for a long time."
Foxworthy said financial issues are behind seeking a partnership or acquisition.
"Reserves are down," Foxworthy said. "Unless something is done, the hospital may go bankrupt. We don't want to see that happen. We need to make sure the hospital stays open and has a presence in Fleming County."
The hospital has faced financial difficulties since the $38 million building it now occupies was completed in 2008.
In 2013, Foxworthy said the hospital, which has 54 beds, was only filling between 12 to 15 of those beds. It was also operating on an estimated loss of $1.2 million a year.
LifePoint failed to return messages from the newspaper seeking comment.
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