Clock Ticking for OCH Sale Petitions in Oktibbeha County
Oktibbeha County Faces another Potential Sale of OCH Regional Medical Center
Oktibbeha County is once again in the spotlight as discussions about the sale of OCH Regional Medical Center heat up. This isn’t the first rodeo for county residents; in fact, it’s the second attempt in just seven short years to offload the facility. The clock is ticking for anyone who might want to oppose the move, as the deadline to submit petitions is looming not too far ahead.
As it stands, county officials haven’t seen much buzz around any petitions to challenge this sale or lease. The county board of supervisors’ attorney shared recently that he hasn’t come across any “serious” petitions making the rounds. “I haven’t heard of a serious presentation to get it on the ballot,” he mentioned, which doesn’t quite sit right with many residents who remember the fervor of past debates.
The deputy circuit clerk echoed these sentiments when she stated, “That doesn’t mean I won’t get some, but I have not heard anything.” The absence of petitions raises eyebrows, especially when considering how engaged community members were back in 2017.
Community Response in 2017
Back then, when officials made a similar move to sell OCH Regional Medical Center, citizens rallied together to voice their concerns. They gathered signatures and ultimately pushed for a referendum, which resulted in keeping the hospital under public management. It was a significant moment that illustrated how passionate local residents are about their healthcare facilities.
Fast forward to today, and the push for privatization is back on the table. A recent “due diligence study” commissioned by the county showed some pretty striking figures regarding the hospital’s financial state. Presented by Raymond James Financial Services to the board of supervisors, the study indicated that selling the hospital might be a good idea given its income, debt profile, and other financial metrics. This, of course, has led to discussions about the potential sale, but concerns are still in the air about how such a transition could impact both patients and staff.
During a recent public hearing, the proposal found favor among some local organizations, including Mississippi State University and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. However, not everyone was on board. Some hospital staff members openly expressed apprehensions about how privatization could affect the level of care provided to patients.
One individual at the hearing was actively gathering names from attendees but clarified that he wasn’t circulating a formal petition. This leaves many wondering who will step up to lead this effort as the deadline for opposition nears.
The Rules for Submitting Petitions
Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about supporting a petition. Mississippi state law requires that to get a referendum on the ballot, at least 1,500 registered voters from Oktibbeha County must sign a petition. This must be submitted to the circuit clerk’s office no later than 21 days after a public hearing—this time around, the cut-off date is 5 p.m. on October 10.
The communications director for the Secretary of State’s Office outlined that each page of the petition needs to state its intentions clearly to avoid misleading signers. That’s crucial because if a petition doesn’t meet certain specific language requirements, it risks being deemed invalid—creating even more hurdles for those hoping to make their voices heard.
The deputy circuit clerk added further details, saying that anyone collecting signatures must ensure they’re speaking to registered voters from Oktibbeha County only. “Each name, I pull them up and make sure they’re an active voter,” she explained, which adds another layer of responsibility to those spearheading the petition campaign.
Will There Be a Citizen-Led Petition?
During a recent trustees meeting, a member of the OCH board opened up about the possibility of a petition opposing the sale. However, the board ultimately decided against pursuing this idea. Although she personally supports community involvement regarding the hospital, she noted, “I’m gladly in favor of a petition, I feel, because I think we need to find doctors who want to come to our community and truly want to serve in a small community.”
As the deadline to submit petitions approaches, Oktibbeha County residents are left wondering: Will anyone step up to ensure their voices are heard regarding this hospital’s future? The coming days will be crucial for a community that has been fiercely protective of its healthcare services.
