Northwell Health and Nuvance Health
These two nonprofit healthcare organizations announced in February that they plan to form a new integrated regional health system to care for patients in New York and Connecticut. The new organization will include approximately 14,500 providers and more than 1,000 care sites.
In August, Northwell Health and Nuvance Health signed an agreement with the attorneys general of Connecticut and New York to maintain competition in the regional healthcare market and affordable healthcare access. Before the transaction moves forward, the health systems still need approval from the New York State Department of Health and Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy.
UCSF Health
This San Francisco-based health system announced in August that it had completed the acquisition of two historic San Francisco hospitals: St. Mary’s and Saint Francis. The two hospitals were previously run by Dignity Health.
As part of the UCSF Health network, the two hospitals will maintain their existing services and staff. UCSF Health announced that it will make an immediate $100 million investment in the integration of the hospitals, with further investment expected to upgrade IT systems and improve the facilities.
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Union Hospital and Terre Haute Regional Hospital
This deal faced opposition from the Federal Trade Commission in September when the FTC released a statement urging the Indiana Department of Health to deny Union Hospital and Terre Haute Regional Hospital’s COPA application, which allows hospitals to merge under a certificate of public advantage.
“In short, FTC staff believes the proposed merger is likely to lead to higher costs and worse healthcare outcomes for Indiana consumers, as well as lower wage growth for hospital workers,” the FTC said in the statement.
The FTC made the case that hospital consolidation has been a driver of higher healthcare prices in Indiana without quality-of-care improvements. The agency suggests that Indiana strengthen its antitrust enforcement.
HCA Healthcare and the County of Santa Clara
In August, California’s County of Santa Clara and HCA Healthcare announced a tentative agreement on the county’s acquisition of Regional Medical Center in San Jose. Earlier in the month, HCA Healthcare had downgraded the level of trauma, comprehensive stroke and cardiac services at RMC, which played a role in the decision, as RMC is one of three trauma centers in the Santa Clara County.
“Making Regional Medical Center part of Santa Clara Valley Healthcare’s network of hospitals and clinics will ensure that East San Jose and the surrounding community continue to have access to top-notch Level II trauma, comprehensive stroke, specialized heart attack, and ultimately, labor and delivery care,” said County Executive James R. Williams as part of the announcement of the deal. “In addition, the County will not have to make significant investments to expand staffing and facilities at our other hospitals, which would otherwise be required, by building on HCA Healthcare’s facility investments and operations at Regional Medical Center.”
Sanford Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System
Sanford Health, a large rural health system based in Sioux Falls, S.D., announced in July its plans to combine with Marshfield Clinic Health System, an integrated health system with locations in rural Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Goals of the combined nonprofit organization include improving patient outcomes through population health initiatives and value-based care; using virtual care, data analytics, artificial intelligence and genomic medicine technology to their fullest potential; expanding research capabilities; and strengthening training and education.
Once the merger is finalized, the parent company will be called Sanford Health, and Marshfield Clinic Health System will be a region within the larger organization while maintaining regional leadership.
Cooper University Health Care and Cape Regional Health System
In early July, Cooper University Health Care, based in Camden, N.J., announced the close of its merger with Cape Regional Health System of Cape May Court House, N.J., which will now be known as Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional.
The combined health system consists of two hospitals with more than 900 beds, more than $2 billion in annual revenue, over 130 ambulatory locations and more than 10,000 staff members.
“By expanding our current working relationship with the Cape Regional team, we will be able to bring additional advanced cancer and specialty health care services to local residents close to where they live,” said Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, co-CEO of Cooper, in the organizations’ announcement of their intent to merge.
Houston Healthcare and Emory Healthcare
These two Georgia-based organizations announced in August Houston Healthcare’s intent to join Emory Healthcare. As a community-based, independent health system, Houston Healthcare consists of two hospital campuses in Houston County, Ga. It has approximately 2,500 employees and serves more than 300,000 patients annually. It will join Emory, an Atlanta-based health system with 11 hospitals and nearly 2,800 patient beds.
“We are excited about the potential of this new relationship with Houston Healthcare, as it will expand our ability to provide high-quality care and services to communities beyond Atlanta, while broadening our geographic footprint in Georgia,” said Dr. Joon S. Lee, CEO of Emory Healthcare, in the announcement.
