COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners voted during their work session Thursday to bring forward to next week’s meeting a resolution which approves the New Year’s Day transition of the Community Health Center of Branch County to ProMedica of Toledo.
Things have been going along without a hitch until recently when hospital employee Terry LaPratt said a technical loophole will prevent 32 employees, including himself, from drawing early retirement benefits..
Health Center President and CEO Randy DeGroot told commissioners last month the original asset purchase agreement allowed for access of early retirement benefits, but it was replaced by a joinder agreement, and according to the Municipal Employees Retirement System, that access is no longer available.
Marne Daggett from MERS tried to clarify the retirement plan that the employees were under until October 2016. She said regardless of the agreement or changes to ProMedica, CHC employees are still eligible to receive their retirement benefit if they are at least 60 years old, have five years of employment and have separated from employment.
She said the joinder agreement does not meet the I.R.S. code for severance.
Commissioners voted to bring forward the resolution after Terri Norris suggested the addition of information that would cover any type of litigation that might be ongoing against the hospital. Formal action on the resolution is expected to take place next Tuesday.
