In just over a month New Hanover County Commissioners will decide whether to explore the sale of the county-owned New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Since announcing the plan last week, current and former medical center employees have voiced concerns.
Anne Patterson worked at the medical center for 18 years and plans to draw on her pension in about three years. In an email to WHQR, she details her concerns about staff losing their pensions under new ownership. She says many employees are worried.
“Pensions is one of the largest questions that I've been receiving from employees throughout the organization.”
John Gizdic is medical center President and CEO. He says without a doubt, everyone is absolutely secure with their pension.
“That pension fund is in place. It is a separate fund specifically for those purposes. It is obligated to pay off the benefit that each employee has earned in their years of service, and so that piggy bank cannot be raided. There's a lot of regulations around pensions and the funds have to be used for those purposes.”(:21)
County commissioners will take up the issue of selling on September 3. Vince Winkel, WHQR News.
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