A KDKA-TV news van was parked just outside the Ellwood City Medical Center entrance this morning, with video equipment staging what could be another news update on the status of what has become regional news this week.
Multiple Pittsburgh-based media sources have reported on the small, financially struggling western Pennsylvania hospital that has delayed paying its workers and now the works may find themselves without health insurance.
According to KDKA report, United Healthcare has stated it is cancelling the hospital’s health insurance, at least temporarily, because of unpaid bills.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Grant White, CEO of the hospital’s parent company, blamed the delayed paychecks on a “significant backlog” in collections. He predicted the hospital’s finances would improve this month, pledging in a December 28 email to employees that “everyone will get paid for their work.”
According to reports, Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court Mr. Court said this week that he last spoke with Mr. White on December 4 and multiple news outlets have reports Mr. White has not responded to calls or emails.
This comes two months after Mr. White made his only public appearance in Ellwood City, telling the many who gathered a public forum meeting “the worst is over” and that the hospital would be profitable by year’s end.
Americore Health, a for-profit company based in Florida that has been buying financially-distressed community hospitals, purchased the Lawrence County facility in October 2017.
However, according to a LeeDaily.com article in late December, the Americore-owned Southeastern Kentucky Medical Center (SEKMC) employees are still waiting on their paychecks.
Americore hasn’t paid any of their vendors either, we have been waiting 9 months for payment, we cut services off after 6 months of no pay for 9 months with the same promise every week that the payments we coming.
Grant White is a liar, and not to be trusted as the proof is in the pudding. So far this is the 7th time Since August that employees at his hospitals haven’t received their paychecks. The same thing is happening at Pineville Hospital (Southeastern Kentucky Medical Center)
Executives using this company as a slush fund.
Our community deserves a well run hospital. The staff, vendors, and all involved with the hospital deserve to paid for their work. Grant White is a liar, I do not believe anything that he says. He just states what he thinks the community wants to hear. How about the truth, for once. He needs to leave and we need a hospital that is dedicated to our health needs and services.
One of the best staffed hospitals in the area. I always felt secure in the care I had there. Sincerely hope that we do not lose it. Prayers are being made from many.
This is a shame! Good hospital with great staff!! Hope the hospital is saved, and this thief gets what he has coming! And I thought there was a Lawrence county judge watching over the sale? I feel bad for employees who have stuck with there job just to be ripped off!
The real criminal is the CEO, she is the local manager allowing for this to happen while she makes a hefty salary. Look towards her for criminal activity!