Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday approved an $850 million tax-exempt bond issue by Geisinger Health System.

Of the total, $285 million will be new bond financing, which Geisinger lead treasury analyst James Kull said would be used by September for new facilities and equipment.The remaining $565 million will refinance debt if interest rates are favorable, he said.Proceeds from the bond issue will benefit people served by Geisinger in Schuylkill, Luzerne, Centre, Columbia, Northumberland, York, Montour, Mifflin, Lycoming, Perry, Union and Dauphin counties, and in Atlantic County, New Jersey.Under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 and the Municipal Authorities Act of 1945, each county must approve the bond issue.The laws ensure that money from bond issues benefit the community instead of being invested, Kull said.The county has no obligation beyond the yea or nay.Following a brief hearing Wednesday morning, Schuylkill commissioners, with Commissioner Gary J. Hess absent, approved a resolution approving the issue.The Geisinger Health Board of Directors and the Geisinger Authority have to approve plans to spend the money."We deal with the health, safety and welfare of our citizens, and Geisinger's been a great corporate partner here in Schuylkill County," said Commissioners' Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr.Geisinger facilities in the county include a cancer center and other medical offices in Pottsville, and in Mahanoy City, Orwigsburg and Frackville.One of the nation's largest health service organizations, Geisinger Health System serves more than 3 million people in 45 counties in central, south-central and northeast Pennsylvania.It employs about 30,000 people, including nearly 1,600 physicians.It has 12 hospital campuses, two research centers and a 551,000-member health plan.