Sale or no sale: Questions surface about Martin General Hospital deal

WILLIAMSTON, N.C. (WITN) - A Texas-based healthcare company says it will acquire another Eastern Carolina hospital.

However, the county, which owns the hospital, says it knows nothing about the impending sale.

Affinity Health Partners announced it would acquire Martin General Hospital, in Williamston. The hospital is owned by the county, and currently, it is operated by Quorum, which has about seven years left on its lease with Martin County.

Martin County said it knew nothing of Thursday’s announcement, learning about it through news reports.

Affinity contacted WITN late Thursday, saying that the company plans to work with the county commission for approval of the purchase.

Affinity already runs Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth, as well as the Plymouth Primary Care Clinic.

If the deal goes through, Affinity says it plans to keep ,all active employees in good standing “subject to the company’s standard review process.”

In a news release, Affinity said it is committed to employee retention, increasing employment, facility investment, and service expansion.

Martin General released a statement Thursday about the announcement saying:

“We look forward to this new chapter in our hospital’s story and the ability to further hone our services to provide a great continuum of care for the Martin County community.”

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