Board members of the Mercy Health Ministry met with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor of the Diocese of Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 7 to discuss the proposed sale of Mercy Hospital Hot Springs (Ark.), according to an Arkansas Catholic report.
Mercy Health in St. Louis, a Catholic health system, is working toward an agreement with Franklin, Tenn.-based non-Catholic Capella Healthcare to merge National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, owned by Capella, and Mercy Health's Mercy Hospital and Mercy Clinic in Hot Springs. Shortly after the deal was announced in September, Bishop Taylor expressed reservations and criticisms of Mercy Health's deal with Capella, citing concerns for the future care of the poor and women's services. In November, the Vatican ordered Mercy executives to meet with Bishop Taylor.
The meeting is the first time Charles E. Thoele, chairman of the Mercy Health Ministry board, and Sister Mary Rock Rockledge, another board member, discussed the deal after the Vatican told Mercy Health to "explore other possibilities, such as establishing some links with other Catholic institutions," according to the report.
According to the report, Mr. Theole and Sister Roch Rockledge had a frank discussion with Bishop Taylor about his concerns. They are scheduled to share his concerns at the next board meeting, Dec. 13 to 14.
Until the Vatican approves the deal, Mercy Health cannot finalize the sale of the Hot Springs hospital to Capella.
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Mercy Health in St. Louis, a Catholic health system, is working toward an agreement with Franklin, Tenn.-based non-Catholic Capella Healthcare to merge National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, owned by Capella, and Mercy Health's Mercy Hospital and Mercy Clinic in Hot Springs. Shortly after the deal was announced in September, Bishop Taylor expressed reservations and criticisms of Mercy Health's deal with Capella, citing concerns for the future care of the poor and women's services. In November, the Vatican ordered Mercy executives to meet with Bishop Taylor.
The meeting is the first time Charles E. Thoele, chairman of the Mercy Health Ministry board, and Sister Mary Rock Rockledge, another board member, discussed the deal after the Vatican told Mercy Health to "explore other possibilities, such as establishing some links with other Catholic institutions," according to the report.
According to the report, Mr. Theole and Sister Roch Rockledge had a frank discussion with Bishop Taylor about his concerns. They are scheduled to share his concerns at the next board meeting, Dec. 13 to 14.
Until the Vatican approves the deal, Mercy Health cannot finalize the sale of the Hot Springs hospital to Capella.
More Articles on the Mercy Health, Capella Deal:
Capella Healthcare and Mercy Health to Join Hospitals in ArkansasMercy Health, Capella Healthcare to Merge Arkansas Hospitals Despite Objections
Capella Healthcare, Mercy Health Sign Agreement to Explore Sale of St. Joseph's Mercy