Flint officials have been exploring a sale of Hurley Medical Center for months according to a new report. MLive says that Emergency Manager Darnell Earley hired consultant Ernst & Young to study the idea seven months ago.

A potential sale of Hurley however would not be a remedy for the city's finances. Legacy costs could make it impossible to find a buyer at a price that would generate revenue for the city.

On Friday, city spokesman Jason Lorenz said "based on the information we have at this time, it does not appear a sale would be an imminently viable option to pursue; however, we continue to review it as we do all areas of the city as we determine the best way to achieve long-term financial stability."

Besides a determination for the value of Hurley, the state of Michigan paid Ernst & Young $250,000 to also look at the potential of selling Flint's water and sewer system.

Hurley opened in 1908 with a mission of providing hospital care to the poor and it remains a key safety net hospital, providing a significant level of care to low-income patients.

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