LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Significant concerns were raised and centered on a potential healthcare shakeup in northeastern Pennsylvania. Three hospitals are included in a proposed deal between Commonwealth Health and Tenor Health Foundation. Now, one of the hospitals is pushing back.
Board members at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital are asking state lawmakers for their help to halt a deal involving the sale of the hospital.
It comes after a letter of intent was sent to employees days ago. It discloses a proposed deal between Commonwealth Health and Tenor Health Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to turn around financially challenged hospitals.
"This, to me, seems more about financial engineering, vulture capitalism, than it is about making our healthcare system better," Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Board Chairman Justin Matus told 28/22 News.
Regional and Moses Taylor hospitals in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre General, along with all related sites of care, are included in the proposed deal.
When Wilkes-Barre General board members took a closer look at it, the less appealing the deal appeared.
"They have no visible resources that we're aware of, not a lot of experience, and, also, we don't need any managerial help," Matus added.
Another big problem Matus has is with what is outlined in the letter's third paragraph. It states, "While the contemplated transaction was to originally include only the Scranton assets, it became important to include Wilkes-Barre as well."
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"Because Wilkes-Barre General is profitable, and the other two are not and in need of some help, we were thrown in to sweeten the deal, frankly," Matus continued.
Matus believes the deal would leave Wilkes-Barre General on shaky ground.
"Our number one concern is that resources would be taken away from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital to, frankly, subsidize our friends in Scranton, and we wish them well, but our mission, our mandate as a board, is to look out for the patient and the community in terms of quality," Matus stated.
While the proposed deal still needs approval, Matus has this message for anyone relying on Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for treatment.
"Between now and whatever happens next, our patients should expect that we'll continue to deliver high-quality care, that won't change," Matus told 28/22 News.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown tells 28/22 News that he expects to meet with Tenor Health Foundation in the coming days to discuss the proposed deal.
