Horton Community Hospital closes its doors

The Horton Community Hospital closed its doors at 5 p.m. Tuesday after weeks of speculation.

John Calhoun, the Horton City administrator, tells 13 NEWS it is his understanding that employees had not been paid since Feb. 15th.

"It will be a tremendous loss," he said of the hospital's closing.

The hospital is currently run by iHealthcare after services were transferred from EmpowerHMS in February.

13 NEWS obtained a copy of a notice the Kansas Board of EMS issued to affected service providers. It stated they were informed just after noon Tuesday that the hospital was shutting down permanently at 5 p.m. According to the notice, Horton EMS was a department of the hospital, and would no longer be in service.

"Town and Country EMS has been working closely with Horton EMS over the past few months and will be providing ongoing 911 service to the community effective today. There will not be a lapse in ambulance service from the hospital closure and they are also anticipating increased responses to the rural health clinic," the Kansas Board of EMS statement said.

The hospital was estimated to employee about 40-50 people.

13 NEWS has reached out to the hospital CEO and iHealthcare for comment, but have not heard back.