As Catholic Health World went to press, Carondelet Health of Kansas City, Mo., was in continuing discussions with other health systems on a potential partnership, joint venture or merger. Carondelet, which is part of St. Louis-based Ascension Health, would not disclose the names of the potential suitors or the nature of the agreements it is considering.
In a statement, Carondelet Chief Executive Fleury Yelvington said that while Carondelet has been involved in such conversations in the past, "these discussions have intensified recently due to coming health care reform measures and the myriad of other reimbursement and care delivery issues that will markedly change the way hospitals operate."
Yelvington said the purpose of Carondelet's negotiations is to prepare for a strong future in light of "dramatic reimbursement changes on the horizon" and to fortify Carondelet so it can better serve patients.
Additional information was not available at press time.
Carondelet includes two hospitals, three long-term care campuses, home care services and other units. The 310-bed St. Joseph Medical Center is located in Kansas City; and the 146-bed St. Mary's Medical Center, in nearby Blue Springs, Mo. The two have been joined as Carondelet since 1997; and they have been part of Ascension Health since 2002. That parent company has no other hospitals in Missouri.
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