UPMC is reportedly in talks to acquire three Ohio hospitals, and Essentia exited merger discussions with Fairview Health Services and the University of Minnesota.
Here are three hospital M&A moves Becker’s reported on during the week of Sept. 22:
1. Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health exited merger discussions with Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services and the University of Minnesota to form a $1 billion health system. The development narrows the path forward for the university as it works to secure the future of its medical school and clinical care network.
Essentia’s withdrawal shifts attention to whether the university and Fairview can reach a new agreement before existing academic and clinical affiliation agreements expire at the end of 2026. Under those agreements, Fairview paid $103 million last year in academic support to the university and its physician group. The two organizations jointly operate hospitals and clinics under the M Health Fairview brand. Negotiations are still underway, according to Lois Quam, the strategic facilitator overseeing the process.
2. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser approved Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth’s acquisition of Estes Park (Colo.) Health.
Mr. Weiser on Sept. 22 issued an opinion finding that the proposed acquisition “will not result in a material change to Estes Park Health hospital’s public purpose and that Coloradans will not experience a reduction in the availability and accessibility of health care services in the communities the hospital serves.” Under state law, if both conditions are met, the transaction must proceed.
3. Pittsburgh-based UPMC is negotiating to acquire three Ohio hospitals from Steubenville, Ohio-based Trinity Health System, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Sept. 22.
The deal would also include two urgent care centers and a behavioral health and physician office building. Trinity Health System is part of Chicago-based CommonSpirit.
