Transactions & Valuation Issues

Massena (N.Y.) Memorial Hospital narrowed its affiliate search from five to two hospitals, Watertown Daily Times reports.

Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana pushed back the deadline for their $37 billion acquisition agreement to Feb. 15.

We've all seen the statistics showing the dramatic trends toward acquisitions of practices by hospitals, the creation of large practice organizations and the disappearance of the individual practitioner.

The Sistersville (W. Va.) General Hospital board received Sistersville City Council approval Dec. 20 to put the hospital out for bid, The Intelligencer reports.

Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens Boots Alliance and Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid have entered into an agreement to sell 865 Rite Aid stores to Memphis, Tenn.-based Fred's in an all-cash $950 million transaction.

Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates formed two partnerships with surgical centers jointly owned by Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care and community physicians.

Brattleboro (Vt.) Memorial Hospital and the Montpelier-based Community College of Vermont collaborated on a 14-week medical assistant training program to help fill gaps in the hospital's workforce, according to the VTDigger.

Cadiz, Ohio-based Harrison Community Hospital is negotiating a potential acquisition agreement with Wheeling (W.Va.) Hospital, according to The Times Leader.

Opelousas (La.) General Health System is partnering with outpatient cancer care center operator e+CancerCare in Nashville, Tenn., to expand radiation oncology services at OGHS's south campus, according to Daily World.

New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System and Baton Rouge (La.) General abandoned plans for a proposed partnership, according to The Advocate.