Merge ahead? With Covenant and MHHS heading toward a merger, CHS wants a seat at the table
By John Gullion, Tribune Managing Editor
Citizen Tribune
2/20/2010
In July of 2009, Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System officials announced they had entered into an exclusive agreement with Covenant Health as the two moved toward an affiliate partnership. In January, the two non-profit health care providers announced their intentions to continue negotiations toward the proposed merger.
But not everyone is happy with the possible marriage.
Community Health Systems officials – who own Morristown’s other hospital, Lakeway Regional – are launching a campaign designed to get their for-profit facility a chance at winning MHHS’ heart or at least the keys to its cardiology center.
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Looking to the future: Covenant, CHS officials talk about moving area health care forward
By John Gullion, Managing Editor
Citizen Tribune
2/26/2010
Setting aside the fiscal complexities swirling around the possible merger of Covenant Health and Morristown Hamblen Healthcare System, and, setting aside the legal barriers of Lakeway Regional’s public push to get a seat at the negotiating table, the root question is what it all means for the future of Lakeway Area health care.
Talking with leaders from Covenant Health and Lakeway Regional, it seems the respective visions of what needs to happen in the Lakeway Area are fairly similar.
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Profit vs. Nonprofit: Hospital officials discuss difference in Hamblen County’s health care models
By John Gullion, Managing Editor
Citizen Tribune
2/28/2010
On one level the argument is moot.
The Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System Board’s job is to make decisions about the future of the hospital. According to Board Chairman Carl Storms, the board decided in 2008 not to pursue a for-profit model as they moved forward.
Instead, they limited their choices to nonprofit capital partners and elected to move into an exclusive contract to negotiate with fellow nonprofit Covenant Health.
Covenant’s offer of nearly $100 million dollars over seven years, including $28 million to pay off MHHS’ debt, seems to have attracted the attention of Community Health Systems, the for-profit Franklin based owner of MHHS’ rival Lakeway Regional.
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