Transactions & Valuation Issues

The number of new medical malpractice suits in Pennsylvania fell to 1,533 in 2009 from 1,602 new cases in 2008, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

McCall (Idaho) Memorial Hospital, a 15-bed public hospital, is expected to become part of St. Luke's Health System, a six-hospital network based in Boise, according to a report by the Idaho Statesman.

Hoots Memorial Hospital in Yadkinville, N.C., will be sold to Kansas City, Mo.-based HMC/CAH Consolidated for $1.6 million, according to a report by the Winston-Salem Journal.

Maine Medical Center in Portland plans to merge with Maine Cardiology Associates, based in South Portland and Cardiovascular Consultants of Maine, based in Scarborough, according to a report by the Portland Press Herald.

Boston-based non-profit Caritas Christi Health Care agreed to be acquired by New York private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management. The deal is awaiting approval from the Massachusetts Supreme Court and Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Residents of West Kendall, Fla., voiced support of a certificate of need application by Baptist Health South Florida for a new hospital in their community, according to a report by the Miami Herald.

Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care is looking into purchasing land in Richfield, Wis., for a new hospital, according to a report by the Business Journal of Milwaukee.

Texas Health Resources, the largest healthcare system in North Texas in terms of patients served, and LHP Hospital Group, have formed a joint venture to acquire 241-bed Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman, Texas, according to an LHP release.

Patients First Health Care, a 70-physician medical group in Washington, Mo., filed a letter of intent with the state to build a $1 million hospital with three beds and a 24-hour emergency department in Washington, according to a report in…

As capital markets begin to open up and healthcare reform starts to take shape, momentum for hospital acquisition activity is building, although the buyers and sellers may have different characteristics this time around.