Transactions & Valuation Issues

In light of public scrutiny, Fargo, N.D.-based Sanford Health has withdrawn from merger discussions with Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has released two reports from consulting groups tasked to assess health insurer Highmark's proposed acquisition of West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pittsburgh, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.

The Rhode Island Department of Health approved New London, Conn.-based Lawrence + Memorial Hospital's application to acquire The Westerly (R.I.) Hospital, according to a report by The Day.

Portland, Maine-based MaineHealth approved an agreement to add Memorial Hospital, based in North Conway, N.H., to its network after a year and a half of discussions, according to a report by the Bangor Daily News.

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

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health has added another partner to its Shared Services division: University Health Care System in Augusta, Ga.

Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services is embroiled in one of the biggest health system merger discussions in the country right now, and Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is ensuring that any action taken will not negatively impact patients in the state,…

St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, Ind., has opened its $17 million, 55,000-square-foot Valparaiso (Ind.) Health Center, according to a Lake Michigan Shore report.

Pending local court approval, Baptist Health Medical Center – Little Rock (Ark.) will become the new operator of Hot Spring County Medical Center in Malvern, Ark., according to an Arkansas Business report.

The affiliation agreement between Pittsburgh-based health insurer Highmark and West Penn Allegheny Health System is set to expire April 30 — as is a tentative agreement between the parties and West Penn debt holders — but the state insurance department…