Providence, R.I.-based Care New England Health System is pursuing an affiliation with New Bedford, Mass.-based Southcoast Health System.
Here are six things to know about the planned affiliation.
1. The two organizations have signed a letter of intent to engage in exclusive discussions and to work toward the goal of forming a new nonprofit parent organization that would oversee both systems.
2. If the two health systems come together, the new organization would become one of New England's largest nonprofit healthcare systems dedicated to the advancement of population health, the delivery of community-based care and a commitment to academic medicine.
3. The new system would include the following:
- Eight hospitals
- An expansive network of ambulatory sites
- Two established accountable care organizations
- More than 1,700 aligned physicians and providers
- The responsible stewardship of charitable assets
4. Under the partnership, Care New England would continue its academic relationship with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence. Southcoast would continue its educational relationship with the medical school.
5. In a news release, George Shuster, chairman of the Care New England Board, said Southcoast "represents the best possible choice in enabling us to move forward strengthening quality, transitioning to population health, improving the value proposition, finding the right structural and cultural fit for both organizations, and maintaining our valued relationships with key academic, provider and organizational partners."
6. If all goes as planned, the partnership would create one of New England's largest nonprofit, community-based healthcare systems.
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