Nov. 28, 2007
Health Care Authority Review Committee Issues Stay of Approval of HCR Manor Care Sale
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Regulators in West Virginia have issued a stay of an earlier decision allowing the sale of HCR Manor Care to corporate buyout firm, the Carlyle Group, according to a release from the Service Employees International Union, District 1199.
A hearing will be held by the health care authority after a determination that “a full discussion of the issues are in the public’s best interest.” HCR Manor operates seven nursing home with approximately 1,000 beds in the Mountain State.
Sherry McKinney, political director, SEIU District 1199 said, “Given the history of private equity firms and the troubling track record of HCR Manor Care, we have legitimate reasons to be concerned about this buyout – including concerns about the effects it could have on the quality of patient care,”
The decision by the Health Care Authority comes less than one week after District 1199 and nursing home workers requested reconsideration by the agency after learning that the nursing home licensing agency in Florida deemed seven Manor Care applications in that state incomplete. Pleas from workers and Charleston legislative leaders express concern about potential patient care problems if the sale occurs, the release said.
Coalitions of nursing home workers, patient advocates, and elected and community leaders in eight states, where Manor Care operates, have mounted grassroots efforts to protect seniors, taxpayers, and workers who are being put at risk in the deal. The states are Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Maryland, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington State. In each state, the coalitions are calling on Carlyle to make specific commitments to improve care at Manor Care nursing homes.
In West Virginia, nursing home workers are urging public officials to demand improved care for nursing home residents. The multi-state campaign is the largest ever focusing on the impact of a private equity buyout on peoples’ lives.
Health Care Authority Review Committee Issues Stay of Approval of HCR Manor Care Sale
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Regulators in West Virginia have issued a stay of an earlier decision allowing the sale of HCR Manor Care to corporate buyout firm, the Carlyle Group, according to a release from the Service Employees International Union, District 1199.
A hearing will be held by the health care authority after a determination that “a full discussion of the issues are in the public’s best interest.” HCR Manor operates seven nursing home with approximately 1,000 beds in the Mountain State.
Sherry McKinney, political director, SEIU District 1199 said, “Given the history of private equity firms and the troubling track record of HCR Manor Care, we have legitimate reasons to be concerned about this buyout – including concerns about the effects it could have on the quality of patient care,”
The decision by the Health Care Authority comes less than one week after District 1199 and nursing home workers requested reconsideration by the agency after learning that the nursing home licensing agency in Florida deemed seven Manor Care applications in that state incomplete. Pleas from workers and Charleston legislative leaders express concern about potential patient care problems if the sale occurs, the release said.
Coalitions of nursing home workers, patient advocates, and elected and community leaders in eight states, where Manor Care operates, have mounted grassroots efforts to protect seniors, taxpayers, and workers who are being put at risk in the deal. The states are Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Maryland, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington State. In each state, the coalitions are calling on Carlyle to make specific commitments to improve care at Manor Care nursing homes.
In West Virginia, nursing home workers are urging public officials to demand improved care for nursing home residents. The multi-state campaign is the largest ever focusing on the impact of a private equity buyout on peoples’ lives.
