Illinois is gearing up to increase its oversight of proposed healthcare facility mergers and acquisitions. 

As a $10 billion merger nears completion in Missouri, one of the state's rural health systems is donning its armor, according to a Dec. 4 interview on 93.9 The Eagle. 

Elkins, W.Va.-based Davis Health, a three-hospital system, has officially joined Vandalia Health, local news outlet WBOY reported Dec. 4.

Three of the largest for-profit health systems entered into multiple transactions this year as part of strategic plans to bolster their hospital portfolios, offload certain facilities or explore ways to expand their reach.

Norfolk, Va.-based Sentara Health is the new sole owner of Velocity Urgent Care, marking the end of the health system's joint venture relationship for the 17-site company. 

The last week of November was a busy one for hospital and health system mergers and acquisitions. 

HCA Houston Healthcare, part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, has completed the purchase of 11 Houston-area freestanding emergency departments from SignatureCare Emergency Center.

In 2017, Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems extended its divestiture plan to help control its losses and debt. After just divesting from one hospital in 2022, the health system had a busy 2023.

HCA Healthcare's Medical City Healthcare in Dallas has completed its acquisition of three-hospital Wise Health System in Texas. 

Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas are entering a joint venture, in which the two organizations will jointly own Highpoint Health, a four-hospital system owned by Lifepoint.

Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth has added a smaller health system to its network. 

Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems agreed to sell three Florida hospitals to Tampa General Hospital for $294 million.

Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission requested an additional $160 million for its 2024 budget to support healthcare merger challenges, rulemaking and investigations. Of that $160 million, $70 million is earmarked for hiring more than 300 employees as the agency ramps up antitrust enforcement against health system mergers and acquisitions. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is buying bankrupt Trinity Regional Hospital Sachse (Texas) for $41 million in a deal that is expected to close by the end of January, Bloomberg Law reported Nov. 29. 

St. Louis-based BJC Healthcare and Kansas City, Mo.-based Saint Luke's Health System — which signed a letter of intent to combine in May — have satisfied all regulatory reviews and reached a definitive agreement to merge. 

Sandoval Regional Medical Center in Rio Rancho, N.M., on Jan. 1 will join UNM Hospitals and change its name to University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center-A Campus of UNM Hospital. 

Clearwater, Fla.-based BayCare Health System is acquiring Gessler Clinic, a physician-owned medical group, effective Dec. 2. 

Fairview Health Services does not want to extend its affiliation as it stands with the University of Minnesota past 2026, the Star Tribune reported Nov. 20.

Omaha-based University of Nebraska Medical Center signed a master affiliation agreement with Columbus (Neb.) Community Hospital.

Portland, Ore.-based Legacy Health has completed the sale of its outreach laboratory operations to Labcorp in a restructuring move aimed at improving the system's financial health.