Transactions & Valuation Issues

Executives with Houston Methodist and Christus Health in Irving, Texas, have signed a letter of intent, in which Houston Methodist would acquire majority ownership of two Christus hospitals located just outside Houston.

Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare Services' proposed purchase of Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, R.I., has received approval from a subcommittee of the Rhode Island Department of Health advisory council, according to a Providence Journal report.

SCL Health System and its primary hospital, Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, both based in Denver, have signed a letter of intent to create a joint venture with one of the leading respiratory hospitals in the country.

Providence Health & Services, Southern California and SCL Health System in Denver have nailed down a definitive agreement in which Providence will acquire Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif.

Rutherford Regional Health System in Rutherfordton, N.C., and Duke LifePoint Healthcare in Brentwood, Tenn., have signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture.

Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiatives and the Texas Heart Institute in Houston have signed a letter of intent to work toward a partnership.

Federal investigators' upcoming ruling on Boston-based Partners HealthCare System's proposed acquisition of South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass., could have a significant impact on cost and consolidation activity in the state, according to a report from The Boston Globe.

USMD Holdings, a physician-led health system based in Irving, Texas, has increased its ownership stake in USMD Hospital at Arlington (Texas).

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

The Washington State Hospital Association has defended hospital partnerships — including those between secular and Catholic systems — as necessary to sustain local healthcare providers.