Lawmakers call for sale of Greenville Health System

Greenville state lawmakers who are part of a lawsuit to stop Greenville Health System’s proposed merger are now introducing bills in the legislature to force the sale of the system to another health care provider. Sen. William Timmons says the time it will take for the lawsuit to move its way from the circuit court to the state Supreme Court is unacceptable to his side, so they are now taking the legislative route. Sandy Dees, spokeswoman for GHS, said, “Since this bill was just filed, we need time to review it and to get a better understanding of its intent and the potential ramifications.” Timmons told 101.7/WGOG NEWS the House bill and a companion bill in the Senate would have a committee of five people to solicit bids with the aim of getting maximum value. He says the system, which includes the Oconee Memorial Hospital, is worth $3 billion dollars. The Greenville lawmakers have been fighting the merger of GHS with Palmetto Health of the Midlands. The senator said, “The (GHS) board of trustees did not have the authority to a 100-year contract delegating their authority and all their assets.” According to Timmons, GHS is owned by the taxpayers of Greenville County and, as such, he says, the only individuals who can dictate such change are the members of the Greenville Legislative Delegation.