COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Community Health Center of Branch County President and Chief Executive Officer Randy DeGroot said in his report to the CHC Board Monday that the recent six month suspension of priority processing by the U.S. Center for Immigration Services has affected the visa of a pediatrician who was scheduled to start work the hospital in July.
DeGroot says the start of the contract for Doctor Obiageli Obi is now in serious jeopardy. CHC was pursuing priority processing for Doctor Obi’s visa. Now they are looking at a eight month delay in the process.
He has reached out Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters as well as Congressman Tim Walberg for assistance.
DeGroot had earlier asked them not to support the American Health Care Act because he felt it would have reduced access to coverage due to Medicade cuts. But a vote in the U.S. House did not take place last Friday when it became apparent it did not have enough support to move onto the Senate.
DeGroot also reported that ProMedica’s board has decided to move forward with the execution of the Asset Purchase Agreement with CHC. An exact for ProMedica to take over hospital operations has still not been established.
