Forum Health extends deadline for decision on sale until Dec. 14

By William K. Alcorn

The health-care system updated union leaders on its remaining alternatives Tuesday.

YOUNGSTOWN — Forum Health trustees and their advisers now have more time to thoroughly evaluate all options for a stand-alone reorganization and emergence from bankruptcy — or sale as a whole or in parts.

Bids for the health-care system were to be submitted by Nov. 13, and it was expected that Forum Health, in concert with its creditors, would decide by Monday.

Now, however, the Monday deadline has been extended to Dec. 14, said Vince Bevacqua, company spokesman.

Forum Health management updated union leaders on the sale and reorganization alternatives during meetings Tuesday.

“Management felt the meetings were very constructive and further reinforced our view of the unions’ commitment and willingness to achieve the best possible outcome for our system,” Bevacqua said.

Eric Williams, president of the nurses’ union at Northside Medical Center in Youngstown, said nothing new was revealed in the session. It was just a matter of reviewing options, he said.

The union spokesman at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren could not be reached to comment.

“Given the sensitivity to discussions with our potential bidders, we will not disclose details related to the sale bids. However, we can state that all bids came with conditions that need to be addressed and further evaluated by our board of trustees and advisers. As the bid evaluation process moves forward, we will continue to meet with the labor unions and keep them updated,” Bevacqua said.

Area elected and union officials have called for Forum to reveal the bids, saying it is in the public interest to know who might buy the health-care system.

Bevacqua again stated that the eventual decision by the trustees will be publicly disclosed and submitted for review and approval to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Sources have indicated there are been several firms looking at Forum facilities, including Humility of Mary Health Partners.

Forum filed on March 16 for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Besides Northside and TMH, Forum’s other major facility is Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Howland.