It’s pretty obvious that Copper Basin Medical Center needs an infusion of cash if it is to thrive. While progress is being made on catching up on unpaid bills, it won’t take much for that to come crashing down, and the debt load is keeping progress at bay.

The Hospital District Board feels it has identified a viable solution through a contract with Brim, a hospital management company, but that comes with a hefty cost and the need for the county as well as Copperhill and Ducktown to co-sign a loan, which the cities have done.

Now it’s up to the county commission to determine whether this solution deserves the blessing of the county’s financial backing. Brim officials feel certain they can turn the hospital around and pay off the loan, but there’s always a risk to taxpayers in the event that doesn’t happen.

Despite the implication that the hospital is in immediate jeopardy, the commission wisely decided to delay a decision and seek more information. What’s needed most is an open dialogue with all parties concerned -- including current employees and administrators, physicians and District Board members. All parties, including the commissioners, need to share their thoughts, concerns and informed opinions, although this could be difficult for those who may feel (rightly or wrongly) that their jobs are in danger if they offend the wrong person.

Ultimately, the District Board has the authority to make decisions regarding the running of the hospital. Commissioners can gather information, ask questions, and make suggestions, but they cannot mandate. They do, in a sense, have veto power if the District Board’s decision relies on a county guarantee.

The District Board has worked long and hard to come up with a solution that appears to be viable. They deserve the thanks of the citizens for the effort that has been made and the work that has been done, especially since most members are relatively new and follow a Board that was inactive for years.

The key question, however, is whether their solution is the best one. It’s a fact that if you want good financial management, you have to pay for it, but the county needs to feel sure that it’s worth the price.

The commission needs to get more detailed information about the hospital’s financial picture, including a better analysis of how we got to this situation and how much uncollected money is available. Both the commission and the district board need up-to-date financial information, which will show the results of recent efforts to collect money that is due and to pay bills. They also need more specific information from Brim about its game plan to increase revenue and collect money that is owed.

Brim needs to work with the county attorney to answer his concerns and it also needs to address the questions raised by the doctors, whose continuing commitment is key to the success of the hospital.

There’s no question that everything possible needs to be done to keep Copper Basin Medical Center viable as a not-for-profit hospital, both for the health services it provides the community and for the economy. With taxpayer money potentially at risk, however, more open dialogue is essential.