County Commission members told Erlanger Medical Center officials on Tuesday that the public was upset over high legal bills and payoffs to those suing the hospital.
"The public perception the last few years has not been kind to Erlanger," Commissioner Fred Skillern said.
But commission members also praised the work of the Erlanger leaders and stressed the importance of the hospital to the community.
Charlesetta Woodard-Thompson, speaking in the absence of new CEO Jim Brexler who was in Washington, said the hospital tried to get all the lawsuits settled before Mr. Brexler arrived.
She said one or two are still pending.
Ms. Woodard-Thompson said the hospital is dealing with a federal investigation and hopes to find positives for the facility from it.
She said morale "is very good" at Erlanger.
Marvin Kurtz, finance director, said insurance covered only $250,000 of a major legal expense to a Washington law firm helping the hospital deal with the OIG probe.
County Commissioner Curtis Adams said the tab for the Washington firm earlier was at $5 million and likely was at $6 million now - considering the fee is $350 per hour. Hospital officials said they did not have exact figures with them.
Erlanger is requesting the county contribute $7,250,000 this year. The amount was $3 million last year, though it was at $3.5 million the previous two years.
Mr. Kurtz said Erlanger had $6.7 million in certified indigent care for county citizens, and he said the county should cover that.
He said Erlanger has over $50 million in capital needs, but can only handle about half that amount this year due to limited funds.
Erlanger paid $1 million to fired radiology director Dottie Farmer and $800,000 to Irvin Overton, hospital vice president who complained he was overlooked for CEO because he is black. Former administrator Paula Autry also got a settlement. Former trustee Jermaine Harper has sued the hospital for over $10 million.