The Audrain County Commission has sent a letter demanding repayment of a $1,815,660 interest-bearing loan made to Noble Health on Sep. 15, 2021. The loan was approved by the Audrain Commission for the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to help keep the Audrain Community Hospital running. It was to be repaid by Sep. 15, 2022.

"The funds loaned to Noble were to assist in keeping services available by the company using the loan proceeds for payroll, nursing services and vendor services. As stated in the Demand Letter, the Commission is keenly aware that back-owed wages have not all been paid and believe that should be among the first, if not the very first, of obligations to be paid by whomever owns the company. We will be considering what legal actions are available to the County and will determine how best to proceed," said Alan Winder, Audrain County Presiding Commissioner.

Noble Health voluntarily suspended operations of the Audrain Community Hospital on March, 25, 2022. Platinum Team Management assumed control of the hospitals along with nine clinics from Noble Health on April 21, 2022. The office of the Missouri Secretary of State lists Brandon Deiters, as the current registered agent for Noble Health Audrain Inc. in the state of Missouri. Audrain County Commission, lawyer Lou Leonatti has provided Mr. Deiters with the demand letter for repayment of the loan. On Dec. 7, 2022 Noble corporations and subsidiaries were sold to Clifford Sullivan. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services recently approved that change of ownership, however denied an extension of the suspended hospital operating license which leaves the building vacant. It also leaves Mexico and Fulton without a hospital.

A complete copy of the Letter of Demand can be found in the Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 edition of the Mexico Ledger.