By Jacque Day
Paris, TN – Henry County Medical Center is facing tough financial times. Hospital CFO Lisa Casteel reports, the hospital has locked down salary increases, instituted a hiring freeze, and halted business travel. Hospital administrators have asked for department-wide budget reviews, and recommended line item cuts of five percent. The Paris Post-Intelligencer reports, the need for cuts is a result of increases in indigent cases and in a lower return from TennCare payments. Casteel, acknowledging the tough times ahead, says job loss leads to loss of insurance, and that a revision to the hospital's charity plan will be discussed during the next board meeting. (Paris Post-Intelligencer)