ITS NOW UP TO THE TENNESSEE HEALTH SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AS TO WHETHER A CERTIFICATE OF NEED IS GRANTED TO WELLMONT HEALTH SYSTEM. WELLMONT FILED THE PAPERS CONCERNING A PROPOSED BOONES CREEK EMERGENCY AND DIAGONSTIC CENTER. THE 41 MILLION DOLLAR STRUCTURE IS EXPECTED TO BE A 15 BED FACILITY THAT WILL OFFER QUICK EMERGENCY CARE TO THOSE LIVING IN THE BOONES CREEK AREA OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. BUT THE APPLICATION IS BEING MET WITH OPPOSITION FROM OFFICIALS AT MOUNTAIN STATES HEALTH ALLIANCE. THEY FEEL WELLMONT IS ATTEMPTING TO DIVERT PATIENTS FROM THEIR FACILITIES. BUT THE APPLICATION SUGGESTS IT WILL BE PATIENTS WHO ALREADY CHOOSE HOLSTON VALLEY’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN KINGSPORT. A TEN MEMBER BOARD IS EXPECTED TO MEET IN FEBRUARY TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE PROPOSED FACILITY WILL BE APPROVED.