Brim Hospital CEO Makes Cover of Modern Healthcare

NASHVILLE, Tenn., August 4, 2008 --- Steve Hannah, CEO of Brim-managed Barrett Hospital & Healthcare inDillon, Montana, was on the cover of the August 4th edition of Modern Healthcare, a weekly healthcare business news magazine.

The magazine's cover story "Searching for Approval," described how tax-exempt hospitals, like Barrett Hospital, may find some relief through a bill recently passed by congress. The bill is designed to help homeowners but also includes a provision to aid tax-exempt borrowers, which includes 60 percent of hospitals.

The Federal Home Loan Banks entry into tax-exempt bond credits may provide another alternative to financing options for Barrett Hospital. This will affect the hospital's plans to finance a renovation or replacement of its 40-year-old facility. Like many rural hospitals, the facility was built during a different era and would benefit greatly from a new layout. Barrett would also like to add new technology as a part of the renovation; however, financing in the past has been limited. With the new bill, the hospital hopes to be able to afford the upgrades that will help it meet the needs of the large county in which it serves.

Brim has provided management services to Barrett Hospital since 1975. In 2006, Steve Hannah, a Brim employee, became CEO of the hospital. The hospital has provided quality healthcare to residents of Dillon and the surrounding area for 85 years.