County Health Center Sold to Philadelphia-based Bidder
Armstrong County Commissioners Jason Renshaw, Pat Fabian and George Skamai talk with Armstrong County Health Center Administrator Tom Parsons and other Health Center officials after deciding earlier that morning to sell the facility to a Philadelphia-based group.
by Jonathan Weaver
On the first day of business in 2017, Armstrong County Commissioners made their first decision that could impact the community – selling the Armstrong County Health Center.
Commissioners Pat Fabian, Jason Renshaw and George Skamai unanimously voted Thursday to sell the Kittanning facility for $5.85 million.
Details when the property will be turned over, as well as what the money locally will be spent toward, have yet to be finalized.
On behalf of the nine-member research committee, Executive Director of Administration Dan Lucovich made the recommendation to sell the 115-bed facility to Premier Healthcare Management, LLC, of Philadelphia.
About 20 minutes into Thursday’s public meeting, Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian read the motion.
“I had trouble reading that because as I (sat) here (Thursday), this was not an easy decision. This (was) not an easy decision for the three (county commissioners) sitting here.
“(But) over the past 12 months it’s been quite evident that the financial burden of the Health Center has come to a great cost to the taxpayers,” Fabian said.
Lucovich and Fabian said a final committee meeting to discuss pros and cons was held Tuesday.
Although commissioners passed a balanced 2017 budget in December, it came at a cost to nearly two dozen county jobs and, as Renshaw pointed out, made commissioners borrow more than $3 million from NexTier Bank by way of a tax anticipation note.
“We don’t have the capital improvements to ensure the care and jobs in the community,” Renshaw said. “This was the best decision.”
A decision on the sale was imminent as commissioners voted last month to indeed sell the 115-bed facility.
“At last for me, Premier set themselves apart from Comprehensive Management. Their story, their willingness to work with the union,” Fabian said. “I think the Health Center will be in good hands with this provider.”
Commissioners first started exploring the sale in August after Susquehanna Group Advisors’ Managing Director Jay Wenger presented commissioners with background on the 115-bed facility – which Armstrong has maintained since the 1970’s.
Look for more details from Thursday’s decision online at www.kittanningpaper.com or in the Week-End Edition.
Local News | jweaver January 6, 2017
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