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AG should approve hospital sale

I recently read that 18 members of Congress oppose the sale of Saint Louise Regional Hospital as well as the other Daughters of Charity Hospitals to Prime Healthcare, stating basically that it would be bad for the communities, patients and healthcare workers.

I fail to see how this will be bad for the community, patients or workers. With Prime Healthcare we have assurances there will be no reduction in services, all pensions and retirement plans will be preserved and other benefits will be preserved as well.

There are rumors Prime Healthcare closes hospitals and sends them to bankruptcy. I can find no evidence of this having occurred to any Prime hospital. If the Attorney General approves Prime Healthcare she can have conditions placed in the contract, which will further guarantee services to the community and benefits for the employees.

I saw no mention of what alternatives these politicians propose. From my understanding the options are very limited and all require the current owner to file bankruptcy. This is in no way better for anyone mentioned and will further alienate the hospital from the community, which it has faithfully served.

In regards to Blue Wolf (favored by SEIU leadership), I am aware of what they expect to offer employees. As a member of the California Nurses Association bargaining team I saw first hand what they intend to offer nurses. This includes numerous cuts in pay and benefits, elimination of the pension for nurses as well as changes to our healthcare.

I don’t believe the County of Santa Clara will be better. While the services may remain intact, a bankruptcy will be required and all DOCHS employees will be considered “new hires” and will have to bid against the “senior” employees already employed by the county for their jobs.

I am sure that I do not begin to understand all the politics involved with this sale and especially of this magnitude, but to be told the sale to Prime Healthcare is the worst option reeks of misinformation, bad policIes and potential nepotism at best.

I work at Saint Louise Regional Hospital and I vote.

Sincerely,

George F Endress III, RN

Original Posting: Morgan Hill Times