While New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System and Baton Rouge, La.-based General Health System, which owns Baton Rouge Medical Center, signed a letter of intent to enter into a strategic partnership in March, multiple sources familiar with the situation said the deal is "nowhere close to being finalized," according to the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.
Officials at both hospitals expected to complete the deal by the end of the third fiscal quarter. Though the deadline has passed, both institutions insist that talks are continuing, according to the article.
In a joint statement from chairman of Baton Rogue General's board of trustees Joe Juban and President and CEO of Ochsner Health Warner Thomas said though the "discussions were interrupted by a change in leadership at Baton Rouge General…[both institutions] continue to work on a proposed joint operating agreement that will…provide the most comprehensive, integrated healthcare in the Baton Rouge area," according to the article.
Former Baton Rouge GeneralPresident and CEO Mark Slyter abruptly left his position in August with no explanation for his departure.
Both health systems declined to comment to the Business Report regarding the current state of negotiations or when a deal might be reached.