Leaders at Munson Healthcare say they have a final agreement to buy two more hospitals. Mercy Cadillac and Mercy Grayling are currently owned by a major Catholic health system based in Southeast Michigan, CHE Trinity Health.
The deal is expected to be final February 1st. For now leaders are keeping quiet about the purchase price and other financial details. The sale still needs approvals from the government and the Catholic Church.
Munson Healthcare CEO Ed Ness says Munson isn’t planning any big changes to services right away in Cadillac and Grayling. That’s even though the hospitals will no longer be bound by Catholic directives, including an abortion ban and strict limits on contraception.
“Which of those we provide and how we change services is something we need to further explore with those communities,” says Ness.
He says Munson has strong credit ratings and that the board is confident it can handle the move. Ness also says he doesn’t anticipate staff reductions or layoffs.
“In fact we think there’s some opportunity for job growth.”
Hospice services would merge right away in February, under the deal, at which time those staffers would become employees of Munson. The hospital transitions are expected to take until mid-year.