Clayton considers hospital loan Tuesday night

The Clayton County Commission will decide Tuesday night whether to financially help the county’s only hospital.

Southern Regional Health System, a 331-bed hospital in Riverdale, asked the county to back a $95 million loan to aid with outstanding debt and capital projects.

The county’s good financial standing would mean a savings of at least $1.5 million in interest for the hospital. But if the hospital should ever be unable to pay the bond, the county would end up being responsible for the debt.

Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell and Commissioner Wole Ralph have expressed concerns about the request because of the unstable economy. The hospital ended the 2008 fiscal year on June 30 with a $7 million shortfall, Southern Regional chief executive officer Edward Bonn said.

Bonn is scheduled to address the commission at 7 p.m.