KVOE’s Lyon County Commission Candidate Forums have unofficially served as updates for ongoing conversations between Newman Regional Health and Stormont Vail.
The two hospitals have been working behind the scenes on terms for — and available services through — a new Stormont facility in far west Emporia for several months. More recently, the conversation has included a lease extension for Stormont’s Cotton O’Neil facility inside the Newman Medical Partners building.
Following the Second District Candidate Forum involving Republican incumbent Doug Peck and Democrat challenger Ron McCoy on Oct. 15, Stormont said both sides had agreed to an unspecified lease amendment and Newman Regional said both sides were “finalizing terms” for a lease extension. After the Oct. 22 Third District forum including Republican Chris Bartel and Democrat Bill Nienstedt, Newman Regional Health said talks continue but both sides say no agreement has been finalized.
Comments from Newman Regional and Stormont Vail on the lease extension do not address Stormont’s $44 million facility plans near Roads 180 and G, although the initial Stormont release says its leaders have had a chance to speak individually with Lyon County commissioners about its better than 30 years of service to the Emporia area and its plans for a new location — while Newman Regional Health Chief Executive Officer Cathy Pimple says hospital administrators and its Board of Trustees “consistently engage” with county commissioners with varying discussion topics. Stormont also hasn’t said whether its Emporia facilities, which Stormont said were too small and outdated when its plans for a standalone medical facility went public almost a year ago, will be upgraded as part of any lease extension.