In 2022, healthcare merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. hit a record high of nearly 2,400 deals.1 But toward the end of the year, the challenges that had been plaguing other sectors of the economy started to drag on M&A dealmaking.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Corewell Health has shared plans to transfer land ownership where shuttered Kelsey Hospital operated to the Village of Lakeview (Mich.) for the purchase price of $1. 

Fredericksburg, Va.-based Mary Washington Hospital, part of Fredericksburg-based Mary Washington Healthcare, has extended its lease to Kids' Station, operated by KinderCare, after previously informing hospital employees that the day care center would be closing its doors in May.

Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems has sold a number of hospitals over the past several years and is evaluating interest for sales that could yield more than $1 billion in additional proceeds, CEO Tim Hingtgen said on the company's Feb. 21 earnings call. 

Proposed healthcare mergers and acquisitions are continuing to face backlash from hospital and physician groups along with state and federal lawmakers — signaling a turn of the tide against megadeals. 

The Guthrie Clinic in Sayre, Pa., has completed the acquisition of Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital System from St. Louis-based Ascension, according to financial documents published Feb. 16.

Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Parkview Health is forming an ambulatory surgical center joint venture with Brentwood, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners to expand its surgical care offerings with independent physician groups.

Two hospitals have shared plans to close or restructure their day care facilities over the last month.

Orange, Calif.-based UCI Health and Lifepoint Rehabilitation — a Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health business unit — have broken ground on a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Irvine, Calif., as part of a joint venture partnership.

Kissimmee-based HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, is set to open a $15.5 million freestanding emergency room on Feb. 27.

Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente might be breaking ground on a hospital in the Sacramento rail yards this year, the Sacramento Business Journal reported Feb. 15.

Tyler-based UT Health East Texas has completed its acquisition of six urgent care clinics, including one from its partner Baton Rouge, La.-based Premier Health, an urgent care company. 

St. Louis-based Mercy plans to acquire ownership of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan.

Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth has purchased vacant property in Sanford, Fla., for around $5.3 million, the Orlando Business Journal reported Feb. 13.

Madison, Wis.-based UW Health, Madison, Wis.-based UnityPoint Health - Meriter Hospital and Lifepoint Rehabilitation — a Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health business unit — have expanded their partnership to develop and operate a second freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Fitchburg, Wis. 

A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved American Advanced Management's plan to operate Madera (Calif.) Community Hospital, a 106-bed acute care facility which has been shuttered for more than 13 months. 

Questions about Steward Health Care's stability have spread from Massachusetts to a 278-bed hospital in Louisiana. 

Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare is acquiring Bowling Green (Ky.) Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates, the Bowling Green Daily News reported Feb. 8.

Los Angeles-based Stockdale Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm, has acquired properties housing Banner Health outpatient clinics in the Phoenix area.

Lawmakers are trying to block a proposed merger between Liberty (Mo.) Hospital and Kansas City-based University of Kansas Health System, but a hospital board member is pushing back, the Missouri Independent reported Feb. 12.