CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – As the state hearing for proposed Clarksville hospitals approaches on Wednesday, both Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar have lined up transportation arrangements for people wanting to attend. Meanwhile, the official agenda for the meeting has Tennova-Healthcare Clarksville listed as “opposition.”

Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar Hospitals have announced plans to build full-service hospitals with ERs in Clarksville, pending the approval of state Certificates of Need (CON) by the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission in a hearing on Wednesday, July 23.

Transportation arrangements

On Friday, TriStar announced it will provide free transportation by bus to the hearing. Gather at Mosaic Church, 1020 Garrettsburg Road, Clarksville, for the bus leaving at 8 a.m. T-shirts, breakfast, lunch, snacks and water will be provided for bus riders. Bus riders should RSVP at this site, and arrive at Mosaic by 7:45 a.m.

Also Friday, Ascension Saint Thomas announced a Clarksville caravan that will gather from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. at the Exit 11 Park & Ride, across the street from 751 S. Gateway Plaza Blvd. in Clarksville. Travelers are encouraged to carpool. T-shirts will be distributed while supplies last.

For those driving on their own to the hearing, it will be at 425 N. Representative John Lewis Way. Primary parking will be at 400 Charlotte Ave., with parking validation available. Alternate parking will be at 350 Deaderick St. (Public Square Garage). Attendees can pick up an Ascension Saint Thomas T-shirt outside Cordell Hull while supplies last.

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All visitors must go through a security checkpoint. Leave unnecessary metal and electronics in your car. Once in the building, take the elevators or stairs to the first floor and continue straight.

What to expect at CON hearing

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission agenda is seven pages long, with the two Montgomery County CON hearings on page 6. The rest of the agenda deals with matters ranging from disciplinary orders to license status updates. For the CON hearings, which are expected to begin at 10:30 a.m., there’s a note that the first two applications – for Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar – will be heard under Simultaneous Review procedures. The agenda also states “Opposition: Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville” for both hospitals.

The commission will decide on both hospital applications that morning. Approvals cannot be appealed, but application denials could be.

Public input on the hospital proposals can be emailed to HSDA.Staff@tn.gov

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