FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Marion County Circuit Court Matthew Delligati has issued a a temporary restraining order pausing threplan the sell the John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center top a private firm.
In August, Governor Morrisey announced the sale of Hopemont Hospital, Jackie Withrow Hospital, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center, and Lakin Hospital to the Marx Development Group for $60 million.
Marion County attorney and State Senator Joey Garcia filed the lawsuit on behalf of a John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center resident Mary DeVito.
In the ruling issued by the court Friday said,” The Court finds that plaintiff will likely suffer irreparable harm if the sale of the John Manchin facility is finalized and assets and operations are transferred to Marx Development Group, based on concerns including, but not limited to, quality and availability of care for residents, the future location of the John Manchin facility, and staffing issues. The Court further finds there is likely further irreparable harm as the state will no longer have control over the assets and operations of the John Manchin facility after the sale, and it would be practically impossible to unwind the transaction of the assets and operations back to the control of the State of West Virginia Department of Health Facilities. Additionally, the Court finds that the likelihood of irreparable harm to the Plaintiff without an injunction outweighs the likelihood of harm to the Defendant with an objection. Finally, the Court finds that there is a significant public interest in this matter considering John Manchin Sr. Healthcare Center provides important and necessary services to its patients. For good cause shown, this Court hereby grants Petitioner’s Motion for Temporary Restraining Order.”
The order temporarily stops the sale of the John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center at least until a hearing schedule for Tuesday, October 28 at 3:30 p.m.