In the latest development of a controversial transaction, representatives from Community Health Systems discussed their "last ditch effort" to purchase Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, N.J., before Phillipsburg Town Council yesterday, according to a Express-Times report.
Warren's board decided to merge with St. Luke's Hospital and Health System in Bethlehem, Pa., which submitted an application in June to acquire the hospital. CHS sent an offer to the hospital's board Aug. 22 to buy the hospital for $40 million and commit $30 million in capital improvements. It was received and rejected in the same day.
During the meeting, when asked why CHS pursued the hospital in the "11th hour," a CHS official said the system made multiple attempts to contact Warren's trustees to begin discussions, but "could not make it happen," according to the report.
CHS owns Easton Hospital in Wilson, Pa., located approximately 3 miles from Warren. Easton CEO Brian Finestein says Warren and Easton already have a 55 percent overlap between their staffs.
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Warren's board decided to merge with St. Luke's Hospital and Health System in Bethlehem, Pa., which submitted an application in June to acquire the hospital. CHS sent an offer to the hospital's board Aug. 22 to buy the hospital for $40 million and commit $30 million in capital improvements. It was received and rejected in the same day.
During the meeting, when asked why CHS pursued the hospital in the "11th hour," a CHS official said the system made multiple attempts to contact Warren's trustees to begin discussions, but "could not make it happen," according to the report.
CHS owns Easton Hospital in Wilson, Pa., located approximately 3 miles from Warren. Easton CEO Brian Finestein says Warren and Easton already have a 55 percent overlap between their staffs.
Related Articles on Warren Hospital:
Trustee Resigns From N.J.'s Warren Hospital, Says Decision to Sell Was "Overly Secretive"CHS, Physicians Criticize New Jersey's Warren Hospital Trustees in Newspaper Ad
Warren Hospital President, Staff Expected to Remain if St. Luke's Merger Passes