A federal judge has halted an effort by Erlanger Health System to foreclose on Hutcheson Hospital in Fort Oglethorpe.
Judge Harold Murphy of Rome, Ga., said Hutcheson would suffer "significant harm" if the foreclosure is allowed to go forward.
Hutcheson recently filed for bankruptcy to try to stave off the foreclosure.
Erlanger has been pressing for repayment of a $20 million loan if invested in Hutcheson during its management.
Judge Murphy said, "The public has an interest in the property continuing to operate as a hospital."