The Starke County Council in a super-majority vote this week approved an amendment to the Save the Hospital Fund that would allow up to $50,000 to be used on a study that would assess the value of the property and operations of IU Health Starke Hospital. IU Health La Porte has been in a lease agreement with the county, but has expressed interest in purchasing the facility.
“We’re going to select a consultant with specific expertise and knowledge in this type of release,” said Council President David Pearman. “It has to be a similar situation where a county has decided to get out of the hospital business.”
Pearman expressed his opinion at this week’s meeting that it is probably better if the county gets out of the healthcare business.
“There are very few counties that are still involved in healthcare, specifically in managing a hospital. Certainly none of us are experts in health care,” Pearman said. “By letting a hospital organization come in and have complete management it’s going to be better healthcare for the county.”
Pearman said IU Health La Porte has been great to work with throughout this process.
“IU Health has been willing to work with us,” Pearman explained. “They’re also anxious to show the community that they’re willing to make an investment here as well.”
