UPMC officially expanded into Ohio on Oct. 1 after completing the acquisition of a four-hospital system based in Steubenville, Ohio.
Here is more on that and 10 other hospital M&A deals expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026:
1. Ownership of Steubenville, Ohio-based Trinity Health System transfered from Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health to Pittsburgh-based UPMC on Oct. 1. The deal marks UPMC’s first move into the Ohio market. The transaction includes Trinity West and Trinity East in Steubenville; Trinity Twin City Medical Center in Dennison, Ohio; Trinity St. Clairsville (Ohio) Neighborhood Hospital; and all associated clinics and care sites.
2. Corvallis, Ore.-based Samaritan Health Services’ affiliation with Tacoma, Wash.-based MultiCare Health System is expected to be completed Oct. 1. The combination would bring Samaritan’s five hospitals under the MultiCare umbrella. MultiCare, a 13-hospital system, has committed to investing $700 million over 10 years in Samaritan’s region for access expansion, recruitment, technology and facility improvements.
3. Portland-based MaineHealth acquired York (Maine) Hospital on Oct. 1. The deal comes as York Hospital and other hospitals face rising labor and supply costs as well as reimbursement pressures. MaineHealth said joining the larger system will give York Hospital access to additional resources, infrastructure and clinical support intended to improve its long-term financial sustainability. The transaction will bring MaineHealth’s hospital count to 10.
4. Tampa, Fla.-based Tampa General Hospital officially assumed operation of its new location, TGH DeSoto in Arcadia, Fla., on Oct. 1. In early November 2025, Tampa General shared plans to take over the 49-bed facility, formerly known as DeSoto Memorial Hospital. Tampa General committed to investing at least $45 million in the rural facility. The 49-year lease is $10 per year and includes a purchase option.
5. Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Health System closed its acquisition of Greensburg, Pa.-based Independence Health System Oct. 1. WVU Health System plans to invest $800 million in the five-hospital system with nearly 7,000 employees and 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers. The investment will cover an electronic medical record system, facility upgrades and expansions, and expanded clinical capabilities. It will also strengthen coordinated population health strategies through WVU Health System’s affiliated health insurance organization, Peak Health.
6. Springfield, Mass.-based Baystate Health is planning to become the sole member of Mercy Medical Center through a member-substitution transaction, a move that would transfer control of the financially challenged hospital from Hartford, Conn.-based Trinity Health of New England. The move is expected to be completed on Nov. 1, according to Trinity Health of New England’s website. Baystate signed a definitive agreement in April to acquire the 182-bed acute care hospital, as well as Mercy’s joint ventures and affiliated medical groups from Trinity Health of New England, which is part of Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health.
7. Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health plans to acquire Minneapolis-based Allina Health, creating a combined nonprofit organization spanning California, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The proposed transaction would create a $26 billion system that would include 39 hospitals, more than 400 care sites and 88,000 employees. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approval.
8. Kansas City, Kan.-based The University of Kansas Health System signed a definitive agreement Sept. 29 to acquire full ownership of St. Francis Campus and its affiliated care sites in Topeka from Brentwood, Tenn.-based Ardent Health. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approval. The deal follows a joint venture of nearly 10 years between the two organizations.
9. Orlando (Fla.) Health acquired Anniston, Ala.-based RMC Health System Oct. 1. RMC is a nonprofit health system that includes a 375-bed medical center, outpatient facilities and specialty practices serving patients throughout Northeast Alabama. The system employs nearly 2,000 team members and 200 physicians across a broad range of specialties. RMC joins Orlando Health’s Alabama Region alongside Baptist Health.
10. Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health is expected to acquire Fauquier Health in Warrenton, Va., from Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health this fall. Upon completion, Fauquier Health, a 97-bed acute care hospital, is expected to transition to a nonprofit model and continue operating as a community-based acute care hospital. The hospital would be Bon Secours’ 12th in Virginia and 48th overall.
11. Phoenix-based Banner Health signed an asset purchase agreement to sell Banner Lassen Medical Center in Susanville, Calif., to an affiliate of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health in a deal that is expected to close in December. Before the transaction closes, Quorum Health is expected to transition to a nonprofit model and operate as Healthside Partners. The purchasing affiliate will be a nonprofit entity when the transaction is completed.
