Yavapai Regional Medical Center leaders deny transaction rumors: 5 things to know

Leaders at Prescott, Ariz.-based Yavapai Regional Medical Center are shooting down rumors that the hospital is in acquisition or merger talks with the state's largest private healthcare provider, according to The Daily Courier. 

Here are five things to know about the rumors and how leaders are responding.

1. YRMC, an organization with 206 licensed beds on two campuses, was said to be in negotiations with Phoenix-based Banner Health to take over YRMC.

2. YRMC President and CEO John Amos has debunked the rumors. He asserts that no such negotiations have occurred — with Banner or any other private medical institution — and that the hospital is committed to maintaining the two-campus medical center as a community-operated, community-focused hospital, according to the report.

3. Banner leaders also have affirmed that the rumors are false. "Banner is often involved in discussions in the communities throughout Arizona about how we might provide valued services. However, we have nothing to report about any of these discussions," Bill Byron, Banner's vice president of public relations, said in the report.

4. Last year, YRMC decided to collaborate with Flagstaff and Verde medical centers to form what is currently called the North Central Arizona Accountable Care Organization, according to the report. When YRMC was negotiating the North Central Arizona ACO, a group of 50 other private physicians in the Prescott area formed another organization, the Yavapai ACO. According to the report, the independent move prompted speculation of a rift in the medical community, which has fanned patient and medical staff concerns about YRMC's operations and its future.

5. In the meantime, Mr. Amos said he and the administrative team, as well as the YRMC Board of Directors, always welcome dialogue with local physicians, residents and other healthcare providers about ways to improve, according to the report.