Late October date set for El Paso Children’s Hospital bankruptcy trial

Federal bankruptcy Judge H. Christopher Mott has set a trial of Oct. 22-23 for the El Paso Children’s Hosptial bankruptcy case.

The trial will include individual claims from both sides of the Children’s and University Medical Center (UMC) adversarial filings.

Earlier Tuesday morning, attorneys for Children’s argued in favor of a motion for a sped-up schedule and to have separate trials on the lien UMC has on the Children’s Hospital and all other issues in the bankruptcy.

Mott partially denied that motion.

The trial date itself came after a conference between attorneys for both sides and the judge over what timing would work for all involved.

Children’s argued that if UMC didn’t have the lien, it would be an unsecured creditor which could make it’s position weaker, and could speed up an agreement.

Mott and counsel for UMC however pointed out that UMC is still providing substantial services for Children’s.

“Declaring the lien not valid doesn’t fix everything,” Mott said.

Evidence discovery and motion filing deadlines will be coming at a later date.

Mediation between Children’s and UMC occurred three times, each time without success.