Pascagoula, Miss.-based Singing River Health System's six remaining trustees are refusing to resign, even after the Jackson County Board of Supervisors asked them to step down, according to a Sun Herald report.
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 12 to ask the six Singing River Health System trustees to resign "effective immediately," according to the report. However, Michael Heidelberg, president of trustees, issued a statement on behalf of the trustees saying, "We do not believe that our board resigning would be in the best interest of the healthcare of the citizens of Jackson County," according to the report.
Mr. Heidelberg continued, "Our board members have put in many hours, served faithfully, and kept the best interests of our patients, employees, retirees, medical staffs and volunteers at heart and will continue to do so. We care greatly about Jackson County and Singing River Health System, and we plan to be right here to help work through all challenges before us."
Jackson County Supervisor John McKay said he was "disappointed" in the trustees' decision not to resign, and Supervisor Melton Harris said he wasn't surprised the trustees' refused to step down, according to the report.
Singing River Health System has been struggling financially, and due to the system's financial state, it decided to liquidate its employee pension — a decision that led to two lawsuits being filed against the system.
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