The organizations said they wanted to “meet challenges in the areas of healthcare reform and physician recruitment as well as address the rising cost of clinical technology and capital requirements.”
A partnership would “create the benefits of a larger healthcare system” but still maintain “a focused, regional approach,” the release stated.
The seven-hospital Spectrum system recently acquired Michigan Medical, the area’s largest physician group, and West Michigan Heart, the areas largest cardiology group, the Grand Rapids Press reported.
Spectrum is also planning to launch a heart transplant program, an in-house physician group and a stronger teaching partnership with Michigan State University.
Four-hospital Munson said the partnership would give it better access to capital and to physicians through Spectrum’s teaching partnership with MSU.
Read the release on Spectrum Health and Munson Healthcare.
