Ellwood (Pa.) City Medical Center witnessed its fourth payroll delay in roughly two months — with latest incident occurring just two days after the hospital's owner told employees the facility's finances were stabilizing, according to the Ellwood City Ledger.
Here are four things to know:
1. Hospital employees contacted the Ellwood City Ledger and said the paychecks they had been expecting to receive by 4 p.m. Nov. 9 were delayed until 6 p.m., when most banks had already closed. On Nov. 14, some employees told the publication their paychecks were still being bounced or that their banks refused to process them.
2. The publication reports this is at least the fourth time the hospital has reported payroll issues within the past two months. However, one employee told the Ellwood City Ledger issues have occurred during the past six consecutive payrolls.
3. Grant White, CEO of Americore Health in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which owns Ellwood City Medical Center, did not respond to the Ellwood City Ledger's requests for comment Nov. 14. Mr. White had previously attributed payroll issues to the hospital having to switch bank accounts and upgrade equipment to be compatible with those accounts. However, the equipment was in place in October, Mr. White said, according to the report.
4. Mr. White addressed some employees' and city officials' concerns during a public forum Nov. 7. He said the hospital remains committed to its employees and improving care services to meet the community's health needs. Mr. White also said the hospital, which has been losing approximately $1 million per month, is projected to make a profit in November, according to the report.
To access the full report, click here.