Nashville, Tenn.-based Ardent Health Services is one step closer to finalizing an agreement to jointly assume operations at Tyler-based East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System alongside Austin-based the University of Texas System, according to the Athens Daily Review.
A Henderson County (Texas) attorney told the Athens Daily Review officials involved in the sale are nearing an agreement, but the closing date has not been set yet.
"As of late last week, we've got most of the documents in place. They were shooting for the end of January, but it's just taken a little bit longer for them to get the finalized documents prepared," the attorney said.
Henderson County commissioners reportedly met with representatives from Ardent and the University of Texas System, who will acquire ETMC through a joint venture, Dec. 6 to discuss commissioners' concerns, which included who would pay for indigent healthcare, the report states.
"All of that has been worked out, and I think that all of our concerns have been addressed," the attorney said.
Once the lease documents are complete, they must be approved by Henderson County Hospital Authority board members and commissioners.
Ardent Health Services and the University of Texas System formed a joint venture last September to acquire ETMC.