Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed vetoed a resolution funding bankrupt Jackson Hospital that unanimously passed the city council at their October 7 meeting.
The resolution didn't give a specific dollar amount the city would give to Jackson Hospital, but does express an intent to enter into a partnership with Montgomery County to "ensure the continuity and viability of healthcare services" to the citizens of Montgomery.
The city council will have an opportunity to override the veto at its next meeting on Tuesday. Jackson Hospital is currently in bankruptcy court and is attempting to secure additional funding to remain open beyond the end of October.
UPDATE: After publication, Reed said in a statement, “The City of Montgomery remains committed to supporting Jackson Hospital and ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible for our residents and families.”
“However, we propose the terms of the funding resolution to be amended. Under the Code of Alabama (§ 22-21-212, § 22-21-293), the responsibility for hospital and indigent care lies with the county. The Montgomery County Commission, under Chairman Doug Singleton, has served as the lead point of contact in this matter. Therefore, we believe it's appropriate for the County to have the majority stake in any future financing,” Reed said. “For that reason, I am asking that the current terms of the agreement be amended. The City is prepared to work toward better terms and an amended funding agreement that protects residents and reflects a fair share of responsibility.
Our position is straightforward:
- We are not rejecting support for Jackson Hospital; we are asking that the 60-40 funding split as currently proposed be recalculated to ensure fairness to the citizens of Montgomery and alignment with the County’s statutory responsibilities.
- We are not walking away from the table; we are insisting on a transparent process that clearly defines how public dollars will be used and what services Jackson Hospital will provide in return — including trauma care, indigent care, and other health services.
- We are not ignoring the larger picture. This is both a regional and statewide issue that affects hospitals across central Alabama. A crisis at Jackson would have ripple effects extending to facilities like UAB and other major health systems.
We have been in communication with the Governor’s Office and have not yet seen a written-out commitment from the State regarding any potential state funds to help address this situation. We encourage anyone with questions about the State’s role to contact our local legislative delegation for further clarification. We will continue discussions with the City Council about what responsible support looks like moving forward. Our message is clear: We are not withdrawing support from Jackson Hospital. We are insisting on accountability, fairness, and partnership — for the good of our residents and the integrity of public resources.”
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