The Chambers of Commerce of Kingsport, Bristol and Johnson City/Jonesborough/Washington County endorse the proposed merger of Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance to an integrated single system.  We believe this offers the best opportunity for the betterment of our region’s healthcare. Each Chamber board met with the individual health systems while Wellmont was pursuing three alternati ...

By Jeff Keeling When he spoke at the Wellmont Health System-Mountain States Health Alliance merger announcement April 2, Dr. Jeff Farrow was effusive in his praise of the proposed deal’s benefits for physicians.  Farrow, a pulmonologist and Mountain States board member, said a combined system could, “help us attract the best and brightest physicians to our region.” He added that a goal for the combined syst ...

This month's Business Journal, which should reach subscribers in print early next week, hits a number of high points, starting with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's last-dollar coverage plan for adults attending Tennessee colleges of applied technology. We also ask physicians about the proposed hospital system merger, report some good news on Bristol Compressors and report on consultants' recommendations that m ...