Arizona hospitals launch new alliance: 4 things to know

Five independent, nonprofit community hospitals in Arizona — Tucson Medical Center, Benson Hospital, Mount Graham Regional Medical Center in Safford, Northern Cochise Community Hospital in Willcox and Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee — have formed the Southern Arizona Hospital Alliance, TMC announced today.

Here are four things to know about the alliance.

1. As part of the alliance, the five hospitals will have stronger alignment to better serve patients, according to TMC. The alliance also allows for greater efficiencies in purchasing, insurance and EMRs.

2. The purpose of the alliance is "to improve the health and well-being of the communities served," TMC said.

3. Chief executives of participating hospitals spoke highly of the alliance. Rich Polheber, CEO of Benson Hospital and board chairman for the alliance, said in a news release the Benson area will have expanded specialty physician coverage through the alliance, while Judy Rich, president and CEO of the alliance's founding member, TMC, said the alliance "will leverage existing relationships and enhance each of our unique strengths, while allowing us to improve clinical care coordination and access to a higher level of care throughout Southern Arizona."

4. The hospitals all remain independent entities.