York Hospital is set to join MaineHealth.<\/p>\n
The hospital and Maine\u2019s largest healthcare system announced Monday that the state has approved their merger and that it will take effect on Oct. 1. Some job cuts are expected.<\/p>\n
The hospital and MaineHealth needed state regulators to approve a Certificate of Need, a regulatory requirement that necessitates hospitals to prove that major changes, such as the purchase of certain medical equipment or mergers, best serve the public. <\/p>\n
Dr. Patrick Taylor, CEO of York Hospital, said in a written statement that the merger is a \u201cmonumental point in our history.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor generations, York Hospital has been a trusted community institution defined by compassionate, patient-centered care,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cThis approval allows us to move forward with a partner who shares our commitment to ensuring patients in our region continue to receive excellent care close to home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Andy Mueller, MaineHealth\u2019s CEO, described the hospital as \u201ca vital part of the healthcare landscape in southern Maine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this approval, we can begin the important work of bringing our teams together \u2014 listening, learning and building on the strengths that already exist \u2014 to better serve patients and communities,\u201d Mueller stated.<\/p>\n
York Hospital officials announced they were in merger discussions<\/a> with MaineHealth late last year.<\/p>\n Taylor said at the time that financial pressures, which could have resulted in cuts to services, had led York Hospital to request to join MaineHealth.<\/p>\n The joint announcement on Monday says hospital and MaineHealth leaders share the goal of \u201cmaintaining inpatient services at York Hospital while strengthening primary care and expanding access to specialty care in MaineHealth\u2019s network.\u201d<\/p>\n John Porter, a spokesperson for MaineHealth, said in an email response to questions from the Portland Press Herald on Monday that the merger is not a financial transaction as both entities are not-for-profit organizations. However, he said MaineHealth expects to make \u201csubstantial investments\u201d in the hospital. <\/p>\n That includes integrating the hospital into its electric healthcare record system, Porter said, which will provide patients with \u201cmore streamlined access to MaineHealth specialty providers.\u201d<\/p>\n