Attorney General Phil Weiser on Tuesday issued an opinion approving a proposal that would make Estes Park Health hospital part of the UCHealth system, finding that the transaction will not result in a material change to Estes Park Health hospital’s public purpose and that Coloradans will not experience a reduction in the availability and accessibility of health care services in the communities the hospital serves.
The Colorado Department of Law conducted a review as required under the Colorado Hospital Transfer Act and under the attorney general’s authority over charitable assets under state law. The attorney general’s review was limited to determining that the merger will not result in a material change to the mission, vision and public purpose of Estes Park Health and that the hospital assets will remain in Colorado and under the attorney general’s jurisdiction. Under the Act, if both conditions are met the transaction must proceed.
Based on documents and other information produced by the parties as well as public comments, the department determined that the merger met both conditions. The department also found no reason to believe there will be a reduction in the availability and accessibility of healthcare services in the communities served by the hospital, and the transaction can proceed without further review…