Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Care Bankruptcy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners probe CarePoint bankruptcy and reports that Christ Hospital staff lost accrued sick and vacation time
Summary
County counsel said Hudson County's case against CarePoint Health was administratively dismissed after CarePoint filed for bankruptcy in Delaware; commissioners pressed for details as hospital employees reportedly lost accrued sick and vacation time and unions file grievances.
County counsel told commissioners on Jan. 21 that the county’s lawsuit against CarePoint Health has been affected by a bankruptcy filing in Delaware and that the county is participating in the bankruptcy proceedings.
"The litigation in State Court has been administratively dismissed because CarePoint filed bankruptcy in the State of Delaware," Hudson County Counsel Donato J. Battista said during the caucus meeting. "The County is participating in that bankruptcy filing. There was a hearing the other day in connection with the interim plan that CarePoint has submitted in bankruptcy court. We participated in opposition as to getting a payment from the local court office." (Mr. Battista)
The legal update accompanied a resolution to hire outside counsel to support the county’s litigation work. Resolution No. 11 would award a non‑fair and open professional services contract to Eyman Partners LLC for $45,000 to assist with legal services related to the County’s litigation against CarePoint Health.
Commissioners raised questions about who currently operates the hospital and what protections exist for employees after the bankruptcy filing. Commissioner William O’Dea told the board he had learned that the hospital’s new operator had stripped long‑time employees of accrued sick and vacation time. "Whatever the financial situation … to take people that are employees and strip them of all their sick and vacation time, I mean, that's honestly totally inhumane," he said.
Chairman Anthony Romano and other commissioners pressed for clarity on the operator and union impacts; Battista said Delaware counsel and outside firms are involved in the matter and that the county would provide a cost and status update by Thursday. Commissioner Albert Cifelli asked for a breakdown of any additional fees tied to the bankruptcy work; Battista said he would provide details.
The board did not record a formal roll‑call vote on the litigation support resolution in the caucus transcript; the resolution was introduced, sponsored and seconded during the meeting. Battista cautioned that the bankruptcy process is ongoing and that some details — including the identities of specific management entities disclosed in bankruptcy filings — remain subject to the court record.
Next steps: County counsel said he will follow up with a detailed status and cost snapshot and will identify which firms are representing the county in the bankruptcy proceeding. Commissioners said they will coordinate with unions and request a formal resolution supporting affected employees if necessary.
