Bayonne, N.J.-based CarePoint Health and Jersey City-based Alaris Health have reached a settlement, ending a legal argument that has spanned more than three years.
In December 2019, CarePoint filed a lawsuit against Alaris, alleging that Alaris was interfering with CarePoint's efforts to sell Bayonne Medical Center — and holding up the sale of Christ Hospital in Jersey City and Hoboken (N.J.) University Medical Center to West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health.
Avery Eisenrich, the owner of Alaris, has a 25 percent ownership stake in two of the hospitals, 70 percent of the land of Hoboken University Medical Center, 25 percent of the Christ Hospital property and 100 percent of Bayonne Medical Center's land. He allegedly sought $300 million for Hoboken University Medical Center, which was sold to him one year prior for $50 million. Mr. Eisenrich filed a counterclaim in January 2020, accusing CarePoint's owners of embezzling approximately $30 million from the hospitals.
In February 2020, negotiations between CarePoint and RWJBarnabas hit a standstill. CarePoint alleged in September 2022 that RWJBarnabas' letter of intent to acquire the two hospitals was false, claiming the hospital system wanted to gain intelligence to slow traffic and halt competition.
On Jan. 9, InsiderNJ published a news release stating CarePoint and Alaris had reached a mutual settlement agreement. The terms of the settlement could not be specified because of confidentiality agreements.
"Settling this matter with Alaris Health has been a top priority since I arrived at CarePoint Health and I am proud that we can now put this situation behind us and move forward with our goal of bringing the highest quality health care services to Hudson County, especially to vulnerable populations that need it the most," said Achintya Moulick, MD, president and CEO of CarePoint Health since July 2020.
"Ensuring quality healthcare in Hudson County has always been a top priority of ours," Mr. Eisenreich said. "Resolution of this dispute allows the focus of everyone to be solely on providing the residents of Hudson County with the healthcare they deserve."