Transactions & Valuation Issues

The following hospital mergers, acquisitions and general transactions took place within the past week, beginning with the most recent.

CVS Caremark has entered an agreement to acquire the specialty infusion services of Coram from Lake Forest, Calif.-based Apria Healthcare Group for roughly $2.1 billion.

LifePoint Hospitals in Brentwood, Tenn., has finalized two separate hospital transactions — a joint venture with Portage Health in Hancock, Mich., and an acquisition of Bell Hospital in Ishpeming, Mich.

Penn State Milton S. Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center and PinnacleHealth in Harrisburg, Pa., announced they are looking into expanding their "strategic relationship."

Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein has granted final approval to Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare Services' purchase of Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, R.I., according to a Providence Journal report.

Oakland, Calif.-based public network Alameda Health System's board of trustees and the city of Alameda Health Care District board of directors have approved the proposed affiliation between the health system and Alameda (Calif.) Hospital.

Minneapolis-based Allina Health and District One Hospital in Faribault, Minn., have signed a letter of intent to discuss a partnership.

University General Health System in Houston is in negotiations to buy Lakeway (Texas) Regional Medical Center, according to an Austin American-Statesman report.

Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health & Services, in partnership with Seattle-based Swedish Health Services, has decided to drop out as a potential partner for Yakima (Wash.) Valley Memorial Hospital, according to a Yakima Herald-Republic report.

Construction is underway for The Villages (Fla.) Regional Hospital's $57 million expansion, according to a Daily Commercial report.