Health News
Gov. Steve Beshear has said no to the much-discussed merger between three major Kentucky health systems, which, because it required his blessing, puts an end to the proposal.
- University Of Louisville Delays Choosing Hospital Partner
To allow time for more "discussions and negotiations," the University of Louisville has put off deciding on University Hospital's new health-care partner until the end of June. It is not known how many entities are interested in partnering with the...
- Critics, Proponents Debate Louisville Hospital Merger
Questions regarding ectopic pregnancy, end-of-life care and funding for indigent care were addressed Wednesday by proponents and critics of a proposed merger between University Hospital, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and St. Joseph Health...
- Merger Would Give Jewish And St. Mary's $83 Million For Their Assets, Which Would Have To Be Used For Charitable Causes
If the much-debated merger between Saint Joseph Health System, University Hospital and Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare overcomes legal obstacles, it could result in a $83 million payment for Jewish and St. Mary's assets that would...
- University Hospital Files Suit Saying It Is Not Public; Could Affect Merger, Open Records
Attorney General Jack Conway may have ruled it a public entity and thus subject to open-records laws, but University Hospital officials are insisting that's not the case and have filed a lawsuit saying it should not have to turn over documents...
- University Hospital Is Public, Not Private, So State Has Say On Merger, Conway Says
Louisville's University Hospital is a public institution, not a private one, which means the state gets a say about the proposed merger between the hospital, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and Lexington-based St. Joseph Health System,...
Health News
Beshear says no to hospital merger
Gov. Steve Beshear has said no to the much-discussed merger between three major Kentucky health systems, which, because it required his blessing, puts an end to the proposal.
"After exhaustive discussions and research, I have determined that this proposed transaction is not in the best interest of the commonwealth and therefore should not move forward," he said. "In my opinion, the risks to the public outweigh the potential benefits."
The merger would have been between University of Louisville's University Hospital, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System, owned by Catholic Health Initiatives. Because Saint Joseph would have had majority control in the deal, the other facilities would have had to adhere to Catholic health directives, which affect procedures such as elective abortions, sterilizations, artificial insemination and euthanasia. (C-J photo by John Rott)
"That raised concerns among many community members and leaders, who also worried about the possibility of more limitations in the future if Catholic directives change," reports Laura Ungar of The Courier-Journal.
Beshear said the merger would result in considerable legal and policy concerns. "However, most troubling to me is the loss of control of a public asset," he said. "University Hospital is a public asset with an important public mission, and if this merger were allowed to happen, U of L and the public would have only indirect and minority influence over the new statewide network's affairs and its use of state assets."
Attorney General Jack Conway applauded Beshear's call. "I believe he ultimately made the appropriate decision on behalf of the commonwealth's interests," he said.
Hospital officials expressed disappointment, saying the "greatest beneficiaries of the proposed merger" would have been the patients of the commonwealth.
Beshear acknowledged the changing face of health care landscape does present new problems, but added he is committed to helping University and Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare reach "our shared goals of providing quality care, especially to our poorest and most vulnerable citizens, as well as finding ways to ensure both facilities remain on strong financial footing," he said. (Read more)
- University Of Louisville Delays Choosing Hospital Partner
To allow time for more "discussions and negotiations," the University of Louisville has put off deciding on University Hospital's new health-care partner until the end of June. It is not known how many entities are interested in partnering with the...
- Critics, Proponents Debate Louisville Hospital Merger
Questions regarding ectopic pregnancy, end-of-life care and funding for indigent care were addressed Wednesday by proponents and critics of a proposed merger between University Hospital, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and St. Joseph Health...
- Merger Would Give Jewish And St. Mary's $83 Million For Their Assets, Which Would Have To Be Used For Charitable Causes
If the much-debated merger between Saint Joseph Health System, University Hospital and Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare overcomes legal obstacles, it could result in a $83 million payment for Jewish and St. Mary's assets that would...
- University Hospital Files Suit Saying It Is Not Public; Could Affect Merger, Open Records
Attorney General Jack Conway may have ruled it a public entity and thus subject to open-records laws, but University Hospital officials are insisting that's not the case and have filed a lawsuit saying it should not have to turn over documents...
- University Hospital Is Public, Not Private, So State Has Say On Merger, Conway Says
Louisville's University Hospital is a public institution, not a private one, which means the state gets a say about the proposed merger between the hospital, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and Lexington-based St. Joseph Health System,...