Louisville, Ky.-based Baptist Health can now proceed with its plan to buy Hardin Memorial Health in Elizabethtown, Ky., after a physician opposed to the deal agreed to drop a lawsuit, according to local news station WDRB.
Larry Hall, MD, a retired physician, sought to halt the $361 million takeover by claiming it was reached in secret, which violated the state's open meetings laws.
Dr. Hall filed the lawsuit in July 2018, and a lower court ruled against him. He appealed the decision, which he also lost. On Oct. 8, he filed for the case to be reheard. Baptist Healthcare then filed a motion asking the courts to sanction Dr. Hall, alleging that his suit was "frivolous," according to Louisville Business First.
Dr. Hall agreed Nov. 1 to withdraw his petition to her the case again. In turn, Baptist Healthcare agreed to drop its motion to sanction the "frivolous appeal."
The health system will "soon begin to capitalize on the promise of clinical improvements, physician recruiting, facilities and equipment upgrading and all the other positive benefits that will flow from being part of the Baptist Health system," Dennis Johnson, president and CEO of Hardin Memorial Health, told WDRB.
Under the deal, Baptist Health will invest $235 million on capital purchases for Hardin Memorial. It will also take on $37 million in debt obligation when the sale is complete, according to the report.
Editor's note: This article was updated Nov. 5 at 12:00 p.m.