EASTON, Pa. – Northampton County Council voted 7-2 on Thursday to restrict the county executive’s plans for a new health clinic for county employees and their families.
The vote overrides an earlier veto from County Executive Lamont McClure.
- Northampton County Council voted 7-2 to override a veto from the county executive
- The vote allows a measure to go into effect imposing new requirements on the administration as it works to create a new health center for county employees
- The company seeking to operate the clinic says it would cut costs for the county
The ordinance, now set to go into effect, requires a request for proposals from more vendors, a new survey of county employees, and a vote from the county council to spend any money from the project.
It does not, however, prevent McClure’s administration from continuing to pursue the project.
McClure argued his case for the health center for more than a half-hour at the beginning of Thursday night's council meeting. He cited data that promised the county would spend less on health care for the employees it insures by creating a private clinic for those employees and their families.
According to the data — provided by Integrity Health, the company seeking to operate the clinic — it would more than pay for itself.
"Most of the numbers that we've heard have come from the single provider who would benefit the most from doing this."Lori Vargo Heffner, Northampton County Council member
McClure also justified his decision to proceed without seeking bids from other potential operators and presented the results of a survey he said shows a clear majority of county employees say they would use the clinic if it's built.
But council members took issue with McClure’s use of data from Integrity, as well as McClure’s decision not to seek bids from other potential operators.
“The problem I have is the failure to go through a competitive bidding process,” said Councilman John Cusick. “For me, I need to see this done through some sort of competitive bidding process. I believe it is practical. It can be done prudently.”
“Most of the numbers that we've heard have come from the single provider who would benefit the most from doing this,” said Councilwoman Lori Vargo Heffner.
Councilman Ron Heckman, the new vice president, said he didn’t think parts of the ordinance were enforceable, and that his support will come down to the details in the final plan.
“Nothing really means much to me until I see a contract in front of me,” he said. “That's the vote that matters.”
