Georgia continues as a M&A hotspot with 4 combinations completed or near finished
2018 hasn’t seen a slowdown in mergers and acquisitions among hospitals and health systems in Georgia, with four major combinations now pending or recently completed across the state.
Georgia Health News reports the most recent deal to close was for-profit chain HCA finalizing its purchase of nonprofit Memorial Health in Savannah at a cost of $456 million. The next purchase expected to be completed is Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare’s acquisition of Columbus Regional Health, while deals between Emory Healthcare and DeKalb Medical, as well as Atlanta’s Northside Hospital and Gwinnett Medical, are still awaiting regulatory approval.
The increased consolidation comes with similar concerns as other states: Hospitals will use their increased market share to hike up prices, not pass on savings from scaling up to patients.
“You expect lower prices, but that has not borne out,’’ said Graham Thompson, executive director of the Georgia Association of Health Plans. “We’re not realizing the promised cost savings.’’
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John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.