A bankruptcy judge has cleared the way for the sale of Forum's assets.
A hearing on the issue was held Tuesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Youngstown.
Bankruptcy Judge Kay Woods approved the purchasing procedure, scheduling an auction on Forum's assets, including its three hospitals, for August 5.
An attorney representing AFSCME employees said he is pleased with the judge's ruling.
"We are very pleased," said attorney Sean Grayson. "We think the sale process is fair."
Right now, Ardent Health Services, of Tennessee, has been the only party making a formal bid to buy the system. However, Forum's secured creditors have also offered their own reorganization plan.
We're told 61 other interested parties will be notified of the auction, meaning Forum will ultimately be sold to the highest bidder.
A final hearing on the sale has been set for August 10.
