MANHATTAN — Discussions between two mega hospital systems about a possible merger hit a major snag Thursday when another suitor apparently stopped in, officials said.
Just a couple of weeks ago NYU Langone Medical Center — a major academic institution — announced a resolution to enter into a non-binding agreement with Continuum Health Partners, which runs community-oriented hospitals — Beth Israel Medical Center and the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary (both on the East Side) and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center (in Hell's Kitchen and Harlem).
But just as the two networks kicked off an effort to explore whether they should formerly merge, Mount Sinai Medical Center — another important academic institution — made an offer to Continuum, the New York Times reported.
NYU Langone broke off talks after it found out that Mount Sinai approached Continuum about a merger and that the two were in talks.
"Given the good faith in which we have worked with CHP over the past eight months, we have determined that it is in the best interests of NYU Langone Medical Center to suspend all further discussions with CHP at this time," a statement from NYU Langone said. "Should CHP approach us again in the future, we will make a determination at that time whether to re-engage with them."
Continuum confirmed its change of direction.
"The suspension [with NYU Langone] resulted from Continuum’s decision to consider the possibility for partnership with Mount Sinai Medical Center," a statement said.
Mount Sinai confirmed the reports but declined to comment further.
The hospital is not only expanding its footprint in East Harlem but is also planning a 95,000 square foot expansion for clinical space and patient care in Queens and a 75,000 square foot multi-specialty physician practice in Brooklyn Heights.
