FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Freeman Health System and KRI have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to explore a possible change in ownership and operation of Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, the two organizations announced Monday in a joint news release.
The letter of intent allows the two parties to evaluate "whether a transition of ownership and operations could further support the long-term access to healthcare," according to the release. No final agreement has been reached, and any transaction would be subject to due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements, regulatory review and other approvals.
Asked whether whether there is an estimated timeline for the process, Freeman media relations coordinator Kevin McClintock told the Monitor "All the facts we can share right now are in the joint news release."
Freeman opened the Fort Scott hospital Sept. 4, 2025. In the release, the health system said rural health care providers nationwide continue to face "significant workforce, reimbursement, operational and financial pressures," and that it has worked with local leaders to evaluate options for long-term sustainability, including operational changes and the Rural Emergency Hospital model.
Patient care, hospital operations and services will continue as normal during the process, the release said. Both organizations said they remain committed to supporting employees, providers and patients while the discussions continue.
Freeman Health System is a Joplin, Missouri-based not-for-profit health system with hospitals and clinics in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas and more than 7,000 employees.
Additional information will be released "as appropriate as discussions progress," the release said.
The press release is linked below.
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