COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The chair for the Branch County Board of Commissioners has some reservations about a request from the Community Health Center of Branch County to change retirement plans.
The hospital has requested the county put a freeze on the existing defined benefit program October 1, 2016 and enter into a resolution adopting the MERS Defined Contribution Plan.
The change is being made in anticipation of ProMedica’s purchase of the hospital.
During Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, Chair Don Vrablic told hospital President and C.E.O. Randy DeGroot he distrusted MERS and felt it was grossly overrated.
DeGroot felt the move makes the most sense for the hospital and sets the stage to reign in costs.
DeGroot along with a representative from MERS are scheduled to appear before commissioners during their work session next Wednesday.


