News release via Senate Republican Caucus
(NASHVILLE) – State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) said today he has contacted the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Tennessee Health Licensure and Regulation Office, and the Health Services and Development Agency in regards to enforcing state law and licensure requirements regarding the notification of closure of Pioneer Community Hospital of Scott. The action came after Pioneer employees found out on June 16 that their jobs would end in ten days when the facility is closed. Yager said this runs afoul of state law and licensing requirements.
“I have contacted Ann Rutherford Reed, who is Director of Licensure Division of Health Licensure and Regulation Office of Health Care Facilities; so that our state law is followed,” said Senator Yager. The state of Tennessee and these employees were not given proper notice. It is hard enough to find out about losing your job. Not having adequate notice makes that loss even more difficult. My focus right now is to see that these employees are treated fairly.”
Under the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) requirements, Yager said notice is required before any critical access hospital can be closed. He requested Director Reed enforce this provision against Pioneer, telling her “a 10-day notice is totally inadequate and contrary to your policy.”
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