Chattanooga hospitals pouring millions into renovations, technology and expansions

Despite a swiftly changing healthcare environment and uncertainty over how Tennessee may expand its Medicaid program under federal guidelines, Chattanooga hospitals are pouring millions of dollars into renovations, updated technology and building expansions. The three largest systems—Erlanger, Memorial Health Care and Parkridge—significantly have increased their capital budgets this year. For the first time in about a decade, Erlanger is spending more in capital projects this year than the amount of its equipment and facilities depreciated, said Joe Winick, senior vice president of strategic planning.