Judge hears arguments in S. Hall hospital suit

WINDER - A hearing was held Monday in Winder on Barrow Regional Medical Center's attempt to halt construction of a new hospital near Braselton by Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Mike Bowers, the attorney for the Winder hospital, argued that the state abused its discretion in approving Northeast Georgia Medical Center's "adverse impact" analysis and that it erred in the way it allowed the Gainesville hospital to revise its application.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center contends that the population growth in the Braselton area is creating the need for two hospitals in order to take care of future demands.

The judge who heard Monday's arguments said he expects to rule on the suit by year's end.