Trinity buying three CHI sites; new system planned

Two of the country's largest Roman Catholic health systems have reached an agreement to consolidate four of their hospitals into a new regional health system based in Boise, Idaho, and owned by Trinity Health, Novi, Mich. The deal is expected to close in early 2010.

Under the deal, which still needs regulatory approval, 60-hospital Catholic Health Initiatives would sell three hospitals in the eastern Oregon and western Idaho markets to Trinity, which owns 28 hospitals and manages another 14 under contract. Trinity spokesman Stephen Shivinsky said the deal would involve a financial transaction, but terms of the deal have not been finalized.

The hospitals CHI would transfer to Trinity are: 118-bed Mercy Medical Center, Nampa, Idaho; 49-bed Holy Rosary Medical Center, Ontario, Ore.; and 25-bed St. Elizabeth Health Services, Baker City, Ore. Shivinsky said the new regional system would be anchored by Trinity's 351-bed St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.

Trinity intends to keep all four hospitals open for the immediate future. “The ongoing discussions have no effect on current operations. If the facilities combine, all facilities will remain open and it is expected that most employees will continue in their positions,” a joint news release said.

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