Now that Meadows Regional Me3dical Center and HCA have come to a mutual agreement for HCA to acquire the local medical facility, the final events will begin to take shape. Meadows CEO Alan Kent said the acquisition will now have to be approved by the Attorney General and then a public hearing will be held in Vidalia for citizens to voice their opinion about the deal. That head is expected to be held by April 30, with the date and time to be determined. Once it is set, the date, time and place of that hearing will be posted on this webpage.

Mike Calhoun, Chairman of the Meadow Healthcare Alliance, said the benefit to the community goes beyond anticipated medical service, but financially as well. According to Calhoun, with Meadows being a not-for-profit entity, it pays no property/real estate taxes on the current hospital. However, when HCA assumes the property, as a for-profit organization, it will be required to pay taxes which will benefit Toombs County, the City of Vidalia and the Vidalia City School System.