This week, CMC Missoula, Inc. (CMC) submitted a new proposal to the Attorney General's Office for using the approximately $74 million in charitable assets produced as a result of Billings Clinic and RegionalCare Hospital Partners (RCHP/Billings) acquisition of the former non-profit Community Medical Center.
On January 12, after a lengthy and thorough review process, Attorney General Tim Fox approved the sale of CMC to RCHP/Billings but not the original proposal for use of the charitable assets. CMC later withdrew that proposal and requested a deadline extension to September 20, 2015, for submitting a new proposal.
Under Montana law, when a non-profit hospital is acquired by a for-profit entity, the charitable assets must be set aside and used for a purpose that aligns closely with the mission of the non-profit organization. The Attorney General's Office must review and approve the transaction as well as the asset proposal.
The new proposal would direct all charitable assets to a new foundation to be known as the Missoula Community Hospital Legacy Foundation. If approved by the Attorney General's Office, the new foundation will be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization "for the purpose of promoting health and healthcare services to the public in … western Montana," according to the proposal.
Though not required to do so by law, the Attorney General's Office asked for public comments during the review of both the proposed purchase and the original charitable asset proposal. Today, Attorney General Fox invited public comment on the new asset proposal.