Transactions & Valuation Issues

The following hospital mergers and acquisitions took place within the past two weeks, beginning with the most recent.

A Moody's Investor's Services report has predicted that the high volume of merger and acquisition activity in the New Jersey area will continue, according to a Star-Ledger report.

Pittsburgh-based West Penn Allegheny Health System expects approval of its affiliation with Highmark, also based in Pittsburgh, by fall, according to a Pittsburgh-Post Gazette report.

Christ Hospital in Jersey City, N.J., is considering Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a next step after Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare yesterday withdrew its offer for the struggling facility, according to a report by the Hudson Reporter.

Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare has withdrawn its offer to purchase Christ Hospital in Jersey City, N.J., according to a Jersey Journal report.

St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Md., has narrowed its search for a strategic partner to three candidates, according to a Baltimore Sun report.

St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, based in Bethlehem, Pa., and Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, N.J., have officially merged, according to a St. Luke's news release.

Huntsville (Ala.) Hospital has announced plans to purchase 150-bed Hartselle (Ala.) Medical Center, according to a Hartselle Medical news release.

Providence Health & Services, based in Renton, Wash., and Seattle-based Swedish Health Services have finalized their affiliation, according to a joint news release.

Community Health Systems, based in Franklin, Tenn., has announced the formation of a regional healthcare system, Commonwealth Health, according to a Times Leader report.