(STURGIS) – A solution may have been found to keep Sturgis Hospital open.

During Wednesday’s meeting the Sturgis City Commission heard an update from Joe Haas, Vice President of the Sturgis Hospital Board of Trustees. Haas says the Hospital has been trying to find a partner for years, but have not been successful. Now Sturgis Hospital is at a point where they may have to file bankruptcy.

Haas was asked if the Hospital Board did a complete search for possible partners. He shared the Hospital Board spoke with every hospital within 150 miles of Sturgis and also one from California.

While these were some very big and well known hospitals, Haas says they wanted to make some changes to the Sturgis facility, that the Hospital Board wasn’t willing to do. ...... {LISTEN}.

Haas says there is the possibility for Sturgis Hospital to become a Rural Emergency Hospital, under legislation approved by the State of Michigan. He explains what a Rural Emergency Hospital is compared to what Sturgis Hospital is now. ...... {LISTEN}.

Haas says under the legislation, Sturgis Hospital would have to wait until January 1, 2023 to become a Rural Emergency Hospital. They are asking the City of Sturgis to loan them $645,000, to help them until they find out if they can receive $15 million in the new State Budget.

The City Commission will meet next Wednesday in a special session to consider the Hospital’s request.