Bankrupt Ala. County Considers Hospital Shutdown

Leaders in bankrupt Jefferson County are nearing a decision on whether to quit admitting patients to the county's charity hospital as a cost-saving move. The Jefferson County Commission will vote next Tuesday on whether to cease in-patient care at Cooper Green Hospital in Birmingham. The hospital would continue seeing patients at its emergency room, but it would quit admitting patients. Opponents of the proposed closing say they'll stage protests if the commission decides to end hospital admissions. Jefferson County is bankrupt because of a massive sewer debt, and it's trying to save money from its general operating budget, too. Commissioners say the 120-bed hospital averages less than 40 patients a day Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.