PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two Oregon hospital systems are awaiting regulatory approval on a proposed merger.
Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics and Santiam Hospital & Clinics submitted their merger application to the Oregon Health Authority on Feb. 11, Salem Health spokesperson Lisa Wood confirmed to KOIN 6. The filing launches the Health Care Market Oversight process in which officials will determine whether the deal would hinder patients, employees and the industry overall.
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The filing comes less than a month after Salem Health and Santiam Hospital revealed plans to combine forces. The deal would improve the quality of and access to medical care in the Salem and Stayton areas, according to the Jan. 19 announcement from both health organizations.
“Hospitals face significant financial headwinds as Medicaid, Medicare and commercial reimbursement fails to keep up with inflation and other external cost drivers,” Wood added in a statement on Wednesday. “Both systems share a commitment to nonprofit health systems and high-quality care. Through partnership and leveraging shared resources, we seek to strengthen Santiam’s ability to grow services while ensuring that both organizations continue serving patients in our communities for decades to come.”…