SOUTH TALLAHASSEE, FL — The NAACP is raising concerns about the current transfer agreement that would move Tallahassee Memorial Hospital from the City to FSU, and the group is not ruling out legal action.
WATCH THE FULL REPORT BELOW:
The NAACP has been involved in community conversations related to the sale for months, holding town halls to gather public input. Now, the group is voicing specific concerns about the terms of the deal.
One of the group's primary objections is the automatic transfer deadline of April 1, regardless of whether the agreement has been signed by TMH and FSU.
"It's bad business. You don't sign anything before you know where all the details are. And it's bad government, because the people don't get an opportunity to see those documents and to raise questions about it," Jack McLean Jr. said, a former Tallahassee mayor.
The group is also calling for changes to the language around indigent care. The current agreement states that "non-elective emergency medical service" will be provided to patients "without regard to financial status or ability to pay." The NAACP wants that care to extend beyond emergency situations.
"We want the entire community, whether you're black, white, wealthy, working class, insured, uninsured, underinsured, to understand exactly what is being exchanged. If this transfer is strong, transparent, and beneficial, then clarity will only strengthen it," said Marlon Williams-Clark, President of the NAACP Tallahassee Branch.
The group says neighbors need to know what specifics the city is agreeing to before the hospital is transferred, so they understand what to expect with future care.
Not everyone shares the NAACP's reservations. Pastor Rudy Ferguson, who supports the deal, says he remains encouraged by the opportunities it could bring.
"In light of all of the negativity and all of the different opinions, that this is a good thing for those who need proper health care, access to high quality health care," Ferguson said.
I reached out to the city and the mayor for comment on the issue with the transfer deadline but had not yet heard back as of this report.
The event took place less than a week before the third and final public hearing is held by the City Commission on the deal. That is currently set to take place on March 11 at 9:00 a.m.
Neighbors can sign up to speak on the issue on March 11th, right here, where you can also find all the available documents related to the transfer from the City to FSU.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.
Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.
