A change in the medical landscape could be on the horizon.
The Hospital Sisters Health System, which owns St. John’s Hospital, has reached out to physician-owned Springfield Clinic for a possible buy-out. St. John’s spokesman Brian Reardon says consolidations in the medical field happen all the time and with the Affordable Care Act, the time may be right for both organizations to join forces.
“A greater alignment between physicians and hospital systems is something that occurs daily across the United States as healthcare reform and reduced reimbursement requires healthcare organizations like ours to deliver the highest quality care in the most efficient way possible,” Reardon said.
Springfield Clinic Chief Administrative Officer Mark Kuhn says the offer was unsolicited.
“It’s unfortunate that the situation has unfolded in the media and created undue concern about Springfield Clinic’s physicians, staff, patients and the community.”
Kuhn says he’s not even seen HSHS’s offer, and at this time isn’t interested.