Commissioners set to announce potential buyer of health center
The Washington County commissioners plan an announcement at their meeting today regarding a potential purchaser of the health center in Arden, Chartiers Township.
Commission Chairman Larry Maggi would not reveal the entity after a closed meeting with county officials Wednesday, but the announcement that a potential buyer had been singled out of six expressing interest was made at a public agenda-setting session.
Potential purchasers identified in early March by their response to the county’s advertisement of its 288-bed facility were Grane Associates LP of Pittsburgh; Premier Healthcare Management LLC of Philadelphia; Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services Group of Hewlett, N.Y.; SolaMed Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Homestead Group of (Newton) New Jersey LLC; and Stone Barn Holdings of Amelia Island, Fla.
“We plan to pass a resolution to authorize negotiation,” Maggi said, which may or may not result in a purchase. “The price is important, but it’s not the main factor.” Those, he said, are the quality of care and “for it to continue to take care of the clientele we take care of.”
A committee, which included representatives from both the Service Employees International Union/Healthcare and family members of health center patients, narrowed the group down to three, and the commissioners, solicitor J. Lynn DeHaven and Director of Administration Scott Fergus visited facilities. He declined to say where they went, but said it was within a 65- to 70-mile radius.
“The three were all very close,” he said, and all agreed on the entity that the board expects to announce. All of the contenders are privately owned entities.
The health center’s finances were last in the black in 2011, and it has lost more than $9 million in revenue since then. This year’s subsidy of the facility could reach $4 million, according to estimates.
Attorney Mark Stewart of the Eckert Seamans law firm in Harrisburg is expected to attend Thursday’s meeting, Included in the sale is approximately 19.7 acres of land at 36 Old Hickory Ridge Road.
The commissioners expect to demand that the facility be operated as a health center for a specific number of years, and that union members be considered for staffing positions.
County officials have said they hope to have completed the sale by August.