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Central Maine Healthcare has been acquired by the California-based Prime Healthcare Foundation, a public, nonprofit charity.
This expands the foundation’s footprint to 21 hospitals nationwide across eight states and is its first foray into Maine.
Prime Healthcare Foundation said it intends to invest $150 million over the next five years in facility improvements and to expand services based on community needs. It will continue to offer charity services and community outreach programs previously provided by the healthcare organization.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The acquisition has been planned for over a year.
Central Maine Healthcare facilities included in the transaction are Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, Rumford Hospital, Rumford Community Home, Bolster Heights, Maine College of Health Professions, CMH Cancer Care Center and more than 40 physician practices.
All CMH hospitals and facilities will retain their current names and local leadership, Prime said. The foundation “will retain substantially all CMH employees,” it said.
It will also honor existing contracts.
With the closing, Prime Healthcare Foundation is the sole corporate member and parent organization of Central Maine Healthcare.
No one from Central Maine Healthcare could be immediately reached for comment.
THE LARGER TREND
Headquartered in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2006.
It’s affiliated with Prime Healthcare, the fifth largest for-profit health system in the United States operating 54 hospitals in 15 states, according to Prime.
ON THE RECORD
“Prime Healthcare Foundation was selected to steward these hospitals into the future after a comprehensive evaluation of mission alignment, values, and demonstrated success investing in hospitals that serve vulnerable communities,” said Devore Culver, chairman of the Central Maine Healthcare board of directors. “Following regulatory review and careful diligence, we are confident this partnership secures a stable, vibrant future for healthcare in central Maine.”
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org