Tennessee Commission Approves Two New Hospitals in Clarksville with $500M Investment

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission has approved the construction of two new hospitals in Clarksville, Tennessee, by Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar Health, marking the introduction of competition in a market previously dominated by Tennova Healthcare. This decision followed a heated hearing where hundreds of residents and local leaders, including Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, State Rep. Ronnie Glynn, and Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, advocated for expanded healthcare access to meet the demands of the rapidly growing population. Supporters cited issues with the current sole provider Tennova, including long wait times, safety concerns, and limited choice, with some sharing personal stories of inadequate care. Ascension Saint Thomas plans a 44-bed hospital in the Sango neighborhood, while TriStar Health will build a 68-bed hospital in North Clarksville, potentially attracting patients from neighboring Kentucky. Tennova Healthcare opposed the expansion, arguing that the new hospitals would divert critical resources and that the patient base could not support multiple facilities. The new hospitals aim to improve healthcare availability and quality, addressing community needs and emergency care accessibility, as highlighted by examples such as a delayed response to a shooting victim earlier this year.