New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System and Baton Rouge (La.) General have dropped their plans to affiliate.
The organizations did not explain why they decided to walk away from the pending partnership, which was announced in March 2016.
In a joint statement, Baton Rouge interim CEO Edgardo Tenreiro and Ochsner Health System CEO Warner Thomas said: “Baton Rouge General and Ochsner Health System have jointly decided not to continue our partnership discussions. Both organizations remain financially and operationally strong and are committed to improving the health of the patients and communities we serve. We remain open to continuing to explore other opportunities to provide value for our patients.”
The deal involved Ochsner, Louisiana's largest not-for-profit hospital system, integrating its Baton Rouge hospital campus with Baton Rouge General. The systems also would've jointly operated 31 clinics.
Baton Rouge General includes a 463-bed hospital and a downtown campus that provides rehabilitation services, long-term care and outpatient care. Ochsner owns or jointly operates 28 hospitals and 60 health centers across Louisiana.
The announcement to dissolve the affiliation comes about four months after Baton Rouge's former CEO Mark Slyter abruptly resigned. No reason was given for his departure.
Correction, Dec.21, 2016:
A previous version of this story incorrectly described the number of hospitals Ochsner operates in Baton Rouge.
