While larger health systems tend to tout the supposed benefits of consolidation, cross-market mergers in particular could be leading to higher prices and potentially lower quality of care, according to an Aug. 23 KFF report.

Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare plans to fully acquire two Indiana hospitals, Clark Memorial Health in Jeffersonville and Memorial Health in Scottsburg, ending a joint partnership with LifePoint Health.

Despite signing a letter of intent to be acquired by the University of Iowa for $20 million, a recent review of Iowa City-based Mercy Hospital assessed its value at $137.3 million, The Gazette reported Aug. 21.

Madison, W.Va.-based Boone Memorial Health is set to acquire Family Life Pharmacy assets and a pharmacy building.

Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, which is planning to sell three Connecticut hospitals to Yale New Haven Health, owes more than $1.6 million in taxes in the state, according to a CT Insider Aug. 21 report.

The court overseeing Montebello, Calif.-based Beverly Community Hospital's bankruptcy case has approved an asset purchase agreement with Adventist Health White Memorial. 

Portland-based Legacy Health and Oregon Health & Science University have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to combine and create a 10-hospital system with more than 32,000 employees and over 100 locations. 

Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente has agreed to acquire Geisinger Health, a 12-hospital system headquartered in Danville, Pa., in a deal that would see Geisinger be the first to join Risant Health, a nonprofit launched by Kaiser Foundation Hospitals.

Here is a summary of hospital and healthcare merger and acquisition-related transactions from July:

The board of regents has approved the University of Iowa's request to purchase most of Mercy Iowa City's assets for $20 million, The Gazette reported Aug. 8.

The number of healthcare mergers and acquisitions continued to decline in the second quarter of 2023, with the volume of deals at the lowest level in three years, according to an analysis from KPMG. 

A joint venture between two real estate investment groups has resulted in the purchase of an outpatient facility in Rhode Island largely operated by Providence-based Lifespan Health, according to an Aug. 3 Boston Real Estate Times report.

Cincinnati Children's has acquired primary care practice Pediatric Associates of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Business Courier reported Aug. 7.

Private equity investment in the healthcare sector is booming, and Democratic lawmakers are concerned, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

University of Iowa plans to acquire Mercy Iowa City, a 234-bed, financially troubled hospital that is resisting an investment firm's takeover, according to a news release shared with Becker's. 

Boston-based Tufts Medicine is selling its outreach laboratory business for an undisclosed amount to Labcorp as the first step to a broader partnership, Boston Business Journals reported Aug. 3.

Kalispell, Mont.-based Logan Health, a six-hospital system, and Billings Clinic will merge Sept. 1 after receiving regulatory approval, according to an Aug. 3 news release. 

Modesto, Calif.-based American Advanced Management has written a letter of intent to operate the bankrupt Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.

CooperCompanies, a global medical device company headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., has terminated its $875 million proposed acquisition of Cook Medical Holdings' reproductive health business. 

Cape Girardeau, Mo.-based SoutheastHealth has signed a definitive agreement to join St. Louis-based Mercy, a 42-hospital system.