I've just finished reading Sandy Lutz's article in the Feb. 12 issue ("How much?" p. 85) regarding the valuation of not-for-profit hospitals, including a lengthy description of the dissension over the sale of Sharp HealthCare. The article states that InteCare was included as one of several "suitors" for Sharp, and that I, on behalf of InteCare, proposed a specific joint venture with Sharp.
I would like to state unequivocally that none of that is factual. My single contact was a telephone call from an outside consultant to the Sharp system who asked if we wanted to be considered an alternative in the competitive process that was under way. I replied that at the time InteCare had not matured to the point that we could be responsive to Sharp's timing needs. As a result we had no interest in being a competitor.
JOHN T. CASEY
ChairmannteCare, Irving, Texas
