Southcoast Health, Care New England End Merger Talks

Officials at Southcoast Health and Care New England have voted to end discussions regarding plans to affiliate the two not-for-profit health care systems.

Both agencies released a joint statement on Monday saying that their respective boards voted to terminate their affiliation agreement.

A potential merger between the two hospital chains was first announced in November of last year through a comptetive request for proposals process an announcement to proceed with closer affiliation was made in May.

However, the joint statement says that after further reviews and preparing regualtory filings it was determined by both groups that "their visions for the combined system could no longer be achieved. "

“We have a great deal of respect for our counterparts at Care New England, their staff and their highquality
programs. However, we believe that it is best for both parties to end affiliation discussions,” said Jean MacCormack, chair of the Southcoast Health Board of Trustees “When we entered into this process, we did so with the promise that we would always keep the best interests of our patients, communities, physicians and staff at the forefront of our deliberations.
We held true to that promise throughout this process, including with today’s announcement.”

The statement says both groups are parting on "amicable terms" and that they will continue to maintain a "longstanding collegial relationship in the southeastern New England community."