Healthcare workers protest against sale of Gilroy hospital

Healthcare workers in Gilroy are divided over the potential sale of six hospitals. They rallied before a public hearing on Thursday.

The negotiations between six Daughters of Charity hospitals and the potential buyer, Prime Healthcare, have divided many of the workers after the non-profit declared its financial troubles.

Some say they are in favor of Prime Healthcare taking over, while others say it is just a bad idea.

Ultrasound Technician Marc Quarles said, “They cut insurance contracts, they cut services, they lay off workers and then raise the price on the services that remain, which adversely affect the community and the patients.”

Rosa Salvatore, a Certified Nursing Assistant, said, “What’s going to happen if I lose my job? Who’s going to support my family? My kids? I just want the sale to be over and just go back and do what I love to do.”

Today’s public hearing was the fourth of six in the state.

The state attorney general