Med needs $32M to keep emergency department open

The Regional Medical Center at Memphis says it may have to close its emergency room if it doesn't get $32 million in additional funding by early next year.

The Commercial Appeal reported Wednesday that the hospital's board agreed to make the plan public after a closed-door meeting. Should the board approve the measure, it would then be sent for approval by the Shelby County Commission.

Board chairman Gene Holcomb says the money is needed because the hospital is already operating at a deficit.
The 370-bed hospital -- often simply referred to as The Med -- has the major trauma, burn and newborn intensive care units in the Memphis region.

Officials say those programs will not be affected if the emergency room closes.