State and City Talking Med Funding Again

Memphis, Tn - A tight-lipped Memphis Mayor didn't give much away about the now "on-again" MED funding talks.

"I'd much prefer the governor discuss that," Mayor AC Wharton said.

Governor Phil Bredesen's office says the two have been talking about the financially troubled hospital over the past few days, even as recently as this morning. But, a spokeswoman for the governor says he's not ready to discuss details on any kind of state help.

A few weeks ago, Governor Bredesen talked to FOX 13 about his take on the MED, "I think everybody at this point is kind of tired of crisis, after crisis, after crisis... bring us a solution, we'll take a look."

Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz brought a federal civil rights complaint instead, which he thinks is the solution.

"I think, frankly what we did, turned the corner," Ritz said.

Ritz filed the complaint against the state a little more than a week ago, based on how it funds the MED. Last week, the state stopped talking to Med officials about funding, citing Ritz's complaint. But now, talks are back on. And Ritz is taking credit.

"Several state legislators called me over the weekend to thank me for what I did. And said, don't let up. Because they feel that the pressure from the feds is going to help them negotiate with the governor," Ritz said.

Commissioner Ritz says representatives from the governor's office will be in town toward the end of the week to meet on funding the Med.