St. Francis Hospital ends transaction talks with CHS: 3 things to know

Columbus, Ga.-based St. Francis Hospital, which continues to work through a deep financial crisis, has ended discussions with a potential buyer, according to a Ledger-Enquirer report.  

Here are three things to know about the discontinued discussions.

1. Since early April, St. Francis had been in "exclusive discussions" with a subsidiary of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems.  Prior to that, St. Francis announced it was in exclusive discussions with Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare. The talks with Piedmont ended by early March, the same month that St. Francis President and CEO Robert P. Granger resigned.

2. On Tuesday, St. Francis declined to answer any questions from the Ledger-Enquirer about the potential deal with CHS or any possible new suitors. However, multiple sources have said St. Francis is now talking to Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint Health about a possible sale, according to the report. LifePoint had not confirmed that as of early this week.

3. Before saying all previous talks were off, St. Francis issued the following statement late Tuesday afternoon from Board of Trustees Chairman Richard "Bo" Bradley: "St. Francis continues to have strong volumes and revenues. The board, physicians and associates continue to be focused on delivering quality care to patients. All groups are dedicated to ensuring the hospital is operating to provide quality healthcare and extensive services to the community. The board appreciates the continued support of the community and looks forward to the future."