City of Massillon reaches $25M deal over Affinity Medical Center

Massillon City Council approved a city takeover of Affinity Medical Center in a special meeting Thursday night.
 
Council voted and approved the $25,875,000 acquisition, which transfers the land, facilities and hospital equipment to the city.
 
The deal makes multiple options possible for the city and its residence, once Affinity leaves. The building and major medical equipment could be used to create a community medical center or an employee-owned hospital. It is also still possible for Massillon to attract another medical group to take over the facility.
 
The hospital was expected to close for good on Sunday, but a Stark County judge issued a temporary restraining order to keep it open for another 120 days. 
 
Earlier this month, the company that runs the hospital gave a 1-month notice that it was shutting down because it wasn't profitable. 
 
Since then, staff members have been fighting to keep Affinity open, with more than 800 jobs at risk.