Bonham -- The board of directors of the newly formed Fannin County Hospital Authority met for their initial meeting Thursday, October 25, with the swearing in ceremony as the first order of business, followed by the election of interim officers to guide the nascent political subdivision.

Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter administered the oath of office to the seven-person board consisting of Butch Henderson, Tom Mac Holmes, Rick Sheddy, Steve Arthur, Wendy Keeton, Clark Sanderson and Chris Wilson.

The second task at hand was accomplished when Sanderson was selected to be interim chairman and Keeton agreed to serve as interim secretary.

"I feel honored to fill this role for the county and the hospital," Sanderson stated.

In light of the fact that Sanderson was already a board member of Red River Regional Hospital and now chairs Fannin County Hospital Authority, the local hospital authority board discussed situations that would either be a conflict of interest or appear to be a conflict of interest and therefore require Sanderson to abstain from voting.

Brandon Durbin, a CPA and experienced health care specialist, was present to provide pro bono advice as Fannin County Hospital Authority juggled a variety of important operational matters, including the 1115 waiver, a financial repository, the need for board certified legal counsel, mutually beneficial affiliations with much larger health care operators and the Open Meetings Act.

The 1115 waiver is the mechanism which allows public hospitals in Texas to access $29 billion over the next five years in hopes of improving the experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the cost of health care without compromising quality.

Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to form a hospital authority in order to allow the local health care community an opportunity to participate in the program.

While the county is not liable for any actions of Fannin County Hospital Authority or Red River Regional Hospital, not so for the newly seated board of directors of the hospital authority.

"Can we be sued?" asked Sheddy, voicing a question that was most likely on the minds of everyone sitting around the table.

"Anyone can be sued," replied Durbin, adding that governmental entities enjoy limited liability, but that liability insurance for board members should be in place when Medicare officially approves the change in ownership. 

Red River Regional CEO David Conejo said he is hopeful that change to formally transfer ownership of the hospital to Fannin County Hospital Authority will be approved by January 1, 2013. 

Conejo also gave some background regarding what has transpired since he arrived on the scene in 2007 and local investors purchased the hospital in 2008.  He also reiterated the potential to improve local health care under a plan that is likely to bring between $8 million and $25 million to the local health care community.

"It gives us the opportunity to take it to the next level," remarked Conejo.

Fannin County Hospital Authority's next meeting is slated for Wednesday, November 7 in the Conference Room at Red River Regional Hospital.