![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/42694587_20250804_CMMC-4_c26520.jpg\")
\t\t\tThe entrance to the Central Maine Medical Center emergency room is seen in Lewiston in April. (Libby Kamrowski Kenny\/Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe entrance to the Central Maine Medical Center emergency room is seen in Lewiston in April. (Libby Kamrowski Kenny\/Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n
A network of hospitals and health services providers in central Maine has been acquired by a California group that has pledged to invest $150 million in the system over the next five years.<\/p>\n
Central Maine Healthcare, which includes Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital, is now part of California-based Prime Healthcare Foundation, according to a news release<\/a> from the foundation. <\/p>\n The acquisition also includes the\u00a0Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, LifeFlight of Maine\u2019s central Maine base, the Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston and more than 40 physician practices.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are honored to extend our mission to the communities of Maine and are committed to preserving Central Maine Healthcare\u2019s legacy, expanding educational opportunities, and ensuring compassionate, equitable care for generations to come,\u201d said Kavitha Bhatia, president and chair of Prime Healthcare Foundation, in the release.<\/p>\n The move comes as Central Maine Healthcare has struggled with funding deficits<\/a> and its leaders have been looking for ways to inject new capital into its hospitals. CMHC CEO Steve Littleson told the Lewiston Sun Journal in January 2025 that the deal, already in the works, was not one in which the Maine network would be \u201csold\u201d but characterized it instead as joining with a new partner.<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t sell our health system,\u201d Littleson said at the time. \u201cWe signed an agreement with a partner who has made commitments over a period of years.\u201d <\/p>\n The transaction is a \u201cmember substitution agreement in which Prime Healthcare Foundation becomes the sole corporate member and parent organization of Central Maine Healthcare,\u201d said Noel True, regional vice president for communications and public relations for Prime, in an email Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cAs such, it is not an asset purchase with a purchase price to disclose,\u201d True said. <\/p>\n Under the new structure, True said, Central Maine Healthcare becomes part of the foundation, and the foundation assumes all debts, obligations and costs, while also committing $150 million in capital investments.<\/p>\n In November, the state outlined a series of conditions<\/a> for approval of the acquisition, all of which True said will be maintained. The conditions<\/a> include that the new owner continue to operate all three hospitals without any \u201cmaterial changes\u201d in the levels of essential services, and that they continue to operate the long-term care facilities Bolster Heights Residential Care and Rumford Community Home.<\/p>\n True noted, however, that the state\u2019s condition that Central Maine Medical Center maintain trauma hospital certification for at least one year \u201cis under modification as trauma services were suspended prior to the issuance of the conditions.\u201d <\/p>\n