Morthland drops lawsuit against hospital

Morthland College Health Services filed a motion Friday to drop its breach of contract lawsuit against Franklin Hospital and its current administration.

Dr. Tim Morthland, health services president, announced Tuesday the intention to invest $30 to $40 million in a privately funded, non-profit, hospital in Benton. Later this month, the Franklin Hospital board will consider Morthland's proposal to manage the existing hospital and start to privatize it, while adding healthcare services needed in Franklin County, the health services said in a Friday press release.

"MCHS is willing to forego our damages, which amount to more than $3.5 million, for the opportunity to restore healthcare to our county," Morthland said in the release. "We humbly ask for the public's support as we move through the logistics in the coming weeks."