Greenville (S.C.) Health System called a recent bill proposed by eight members of the Greenville County Legislative Delegation a "political effort … that is not in the best interest of the community," according to Greenville News.
The legislators proposed the bill last Thursday, which calls for the sale of the seven-hospital system and to disperse the proceeds, amounting to between $2 billion and $3 billion, among various governmental, educational and other organizations.
Legislators wrote in an op-ed to the Greenville News last week they devised the bill because public trust in GHS has declined since the health system "unilaterally restructured and leased our publicly-owned, multibillion dollar asset without the legislative delegation's input or consent as the law requires," according to the report.
However, a spokesperson for Greenville Health System told Greenville News the measure represents a political attack that would negatively affect patients.
"Greenville Health System has been providing high-quality healthcare to our community for more than a century. Led by local members of our community, our top priority is improving the health of the people we serve — today and in the future," the spokesperson said. "This latest political effort is another attempt at doing something that is not in the best interest of the community. It's time to put politics aside and let the physicians, nurses, caregivers and local community leaders on our boards do what they do best — ensure the strongest healthcare future for the patients and communities we serve."
Political leaders in the state have offered mixed opinions of the bill. While some have advocated for the sale of the health system, other leaders claim the move is more about maintaining control over the organization and may affect the thousands of workers employed by the health system, the report states.