“It’s beyond comprehension how the Mercury News could advocate for the potential closure of six vital community hospitals in California and the loss of pension and health benefits of 16,000 union and non-union workers. But that is essentially what it called for in its ill-considered editorial urging the state Attorney General to reject the sale of Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) to Prime Healthcare.
This is not an empty threat. In January 2014, the DCHS board of directors responded to this severe financial distress and launched an exhaustive search for a buyer with the experience and financial wherewithal to nurse the hospitals back to health.
More than 130 health systems expressed initial interest, and from there the choices were whittled to four finalists. In the end, Prime Healthcare was far and away the best candidate, meeting or exceeding all the criteria established by the board. Prime Healthcare will keep the hospitals open, continue the charity care mission, honor all union contracts and invest $150 million in capital improvements over the next three years.”
To go to the entire San Jose Mercury News article, click this link