COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Community Health Center of Branch County President and CEO Randy DeGroot told the hospital Board of Trustees Monday that a bill that would change the status of the hospital has been delivered to Governor Snyder’s desk after it cleared both the Senate and the House.
Senate Bill 450 was introduced by State Senator Mike Shirkey in June. It would allow for the conversion of the hospital from a municipal health facility to a non-profit organization ahead of the hospital’s takeover by Promedica Medical of Toledo January 1, 2018.
The bill is designed to make the transition to Promedica as seamless as possible.
Meanwhile, the board passed a resolution Monday night which stated they approve a Restructuring Plan, and they recommended to Branch County Commissioners that they approve it as well.
DeGroot is scheduled to appear before the County Commissioners during their work session on November 9th.
In other business, the board approved a request for the decertification of the Maternal Infant Health Program. DeGroot said the program was placed on hold in June when it lost its social worker and its nurse.
The hospital has been subsidizing the program to the tune of at least $50,000 a year and DeGroot said they have seen little or no program growth even with the program being expanded to included HMO carriers.
It was pointed out there are alternatives available in the community that cover all of the major elements of the program.
The State of Michigan allows a program to be placed on hold for up to six months, after which the program must close or begin to provide services again.
