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CMC to Begin Exclusive Negotiations with HCA Healthcare to Explore Potential Partnership

Catholic Medical Center (CMC) announced it has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) to explore a partnership with HCA Healthcare.

September 27, 2023

Catholic Medical Center (CMC) announced it has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) to explore a partnership with HCA Healthcare. The two organizations will begin exclusive discussions as they evaluate a potential agreement where CMC would join HCA Healthcare.

“We have been on a journey to identify a partner that will, first and foremost, support our mission of health, healing and hope, as well as a partner who will embrace who we are as a Catholic hospital,” said Alex Walker, CMC’s President and CEO. “With HCA Healthcare, we believe we have found that partner. In addition to embracing our Catholic mission, HCA Healthcare also aligns with our core values and is committed to healthcare excellence, community service, and investing in our people and facilities. CMC and HCA Healthcare have agreed to explore a partnership that would enable us to continue providing high-quality Catholic health care to our community for generations to come.”

Leadership at HCA Healthcare has expressed their admiration for CMC’s long history of caring for the community. Together CMC and HCA Healthcare intend to:
  • Maintain CMC’s Catholic identity and provide care in accordance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs),
  • Create a non-profit foundation to carry on CMC’s commitment to serve the needs of our community for generations to come,
  • Preserve and enhance access to high-quality patient care and meet the growing demand for healthcare services in New Hampshire,
  • Continue a legacy of providing charity care to the uninsured to improve health equity in New Hampshire,
  • Provide CMC access to HCA Healthcare capabilities, scale and resources focused on delivering high-quality patient care,
  • Support CMC’s existing workforce with job training, education opportunities and industry-leading technology,
  • Enhance the immediate and long-term financial viability of CMC.

“We have been engaged in a thorough process to identify a partner who will help us ensure the needs of our community will continue to be met now and in the future, without compromising our Catholic identity. We have seen this successful model with HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, an HCA Healthcare Catholic hospital in the Archdiocese of Miami, and are confident in HCA Healthcare’s commitment to ensure CMC will continue to operate as a Catholic hospital in accordance with the ERDs,” said Timothy Riley, Chair of CMC’s Board of Trustees.

The non-binding LOI is the first step in a well-defined and lengthy process that involves further due diligence, negotiation of final terms, and approvals. In the meantime, the excellent healthcare patients receive will continue. CMC will remain focused on delivering on its mission and its commitment to provide exceptional care to all those it serves today and in the future.

Statement from the Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, D.D., Bishop of Manchester
“Unwavering adherence to Catholic moral and ethical principles, and actual practice, in the delivery of health care is a foremost priority for me. The integrity of Catholic identity as both Catholic Medical Center and HCA Healthcare follow the process of due diligence in this proposed partnership has been accepted as paramount. The parties engaged in this endeavor are fully immersed in the process to provide an authentic reflection of the Catholic identity and excellent care that has been provided to the community over the past 131 years. I am grateful for the faithful commitment to this mission and for Catholic Medical Center’s place on the hill as a shining symbol of hope arising from steadfast faith. The responsibility for an uninterrupted future is now placed squarely in our hands.”