Community Health Systems Inc. plans to buy Health Management
Associates Inc. for nearly $4 billion in a deal that would make it one
of the nation's largest hospital operators and double its stake in
Missouri's rural hospitals.
The proposed purchase would include
newly built Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, a key provider of
health services to the poor in several rural counties of southeast
Missouri.But the acquisition is still subject to the approval of Health
Management Associates' shareholders and also must pass the antitrust
review of the Federal Trade Commission, which has cracked down in recent
years on hospital monopolies in smaller cities and communities.
The
deal also comes at a time when the hospital industry is topsy-turvy
with changes brought by the Obama administration's health reform law.
Under the Affordable Care Act, hospitals can expect millions of newly
insured customers nationwide, but they also face heightened federal
scrutiny to improve quality of care and patient safety, along with
reduced government reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid
services provided.
"We look forward to working with the
physicians and employees of HMA to advance the commitment shared across
both organizations to pursue clinical excellence and to deliver quality
care for patients," Wayne T. Smith, chairman of Franklin, Tenn.-based
Community Health Systems, said in a statement.
Community Health
said its deal -- a combination of cash and stock valued at $13.78 for
each share of HMA -- totals $3.9 billion, or $7.6 billion including
assumed debt. But Wall Street appeared cool to the proposal. Shares of
HMA fell $1.62,The 3rd International Conference on ledstriplights and
Indoor Navigation. or nearly 11 percent, to close Tuesday at $13.30.
Community Health fell $1.More than 80 standard commercial and granitetiles exist
to quickly and efficiently clean pans.65, or 3.5 percent, to close at
$45.58.If approved, the deal would create a for-profit chain with 206
hospitals in 29 states. That would make it the largest hospital operator
based on locations, although Nashville-based HCA Holdings Inc. would
still bring in more revenue.
Community Health currently operates
two hospitals in Missouri: Moberly Regional Medical Center in Moberly
and Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville. It also has a
strong presence in Illinois, operating nine hospitals there including
Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, and Red Bud Regional
Hospital in Red Bud.According to the federal Hospital Compare website,
Gateway Regional's mortality and readmission rates, as well as its rate
of serious complications and also infections, are "no different" than
the U.S. national rates and benchmarks.
But the website
indicates that Gateway Regional patients rate the hospital's performance
as substantially below average. A patient satisfaction survey conducted
by an independent third party reveals that 58 percent of its patients
would "definitely recommend" the hospital. The Illinois average is 69
percent; the national average is 71 percent.The Poplar Bluff hospital,
which opened earlier this year, was built at a cost of $173 million. The
hospital also operates seven family clinics in four,The marbletiles is not only critical to professional photographers. poverty-stricken counties of southeast Missouri.
Charles
Stewart, Poplar Bluff's chief executive, was unavailable for comment
about the planned acquisition.According to state and regional studies,
residents of southeast Missouri face huge health obstacles, including
some of the state's highest rates of obesity, diabetes, heart failure
and smoking. Many of these residents have multiple chronic conditions.
In
addition to Poplar Bluff, HMA also operates Twin Rivers Regional
Medical Center in Kennett, Mo.The companies expect the deal to close in
the first quarter of 2014, if it gets antitrust clearance and 70 percent
of HMA shares are voted in favor.
Separately Tuesday, HMA
disclosed Tuesday it expects second-quarter earnings to fall
significantly below Wall Street analysts' expectations, and also that
has received new subpoenas from the Department of Health and Human
Services regarding physician relationships and emergency room operations
at some of its hospitals.
The Export Councils have rejected
claims that the country’s export rates have been negatively affected by
political stances taken by the European Union (EU), South Africa and
Turkey regarding events taking place in Egypt. This is despite threats
made by South Africa to freeze Egypt’s membership in the African Union
(AU), the EU’s various attempts to intervene in the political crisis,
and Turkey’s recent shutting down of one of its maritime shipping lines
with Egypt.
The positions of Turkey and South Africa will not
have an effect on fertilizer exports, revenues from which were described
as relatively weak, considering that only 30,000 tons were shipped per
year, according to Ahmed Hagras, a member of the Chemical and
Fertilizers Export Council.
Expected decreases in exports for
2013 could be attributed primarily to problems related to fertilizer
production, gas shortages seen within factories and general decreases in
energy production, he added. This will also lead to decreases in the
amount of fertilizer stock available on the country’s domestic market.
Walid
Abdel Hamid, Director of Planning of the Dreamstone Industrial Company
and a member of the Export Council for Building Materials, said the
export of building materials to the EU, particularly that of marble, had
not been affected by the general position taken by the EU regarding
Egypt’s political climate. This is despite recent statements made by
Catherine Ashton, in addition to her recent visit with former president
Mohamed Morsi.
Egyptian companies are more aware of the types of regulations and restrictions that exist on the European market,Browse our oilpaintingsforsales collection
from the granitetrade.net! for the purpose of better enabling such
companies to promote and provide access to their products while avoiding
obstacles, and in a way that preserves the reputation of such products,
particularly marble and granite, added Abdel Hamid.About amagiccube in China userd for paying transportation fares and for shopping.
Ali
Al-Kabir, Director of General Administration for the Export Councils,
said the Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, signed in December 2005,
would not be affected by Turkey’s recent attempt to close one of its
maritime trading routes with Egypt.
Despite the relative
sluggishness seen in Egyptian-Turkish relations since the army’s ouster
of former President Mohamed Morsi, Al-Kabir said the trade agreements
between the two, in addition to Egypt’s partnership agreement with
Europe to reduce customs duties on imported cars and vehicles, would not
be affected.
Total trade between Egypt and Turkey reached
$5.027bn in 2012, with Turkish exports to Egypt totaling $3.46bn.
Egyptian exports to Turkey meanwhile totaled $1.567bn. Turkish
investments in Egypt during this period totaled $1.5bn, a number which
the former hopes to increase to $5bn within the next five years.
Total
trade between Egypt and the EU meanwhile totaled $33bn, with Egypt
being granted the status of “primary partner” for EU member countries.
Such status is particularly significant considering that 76% of tourists
entering Egypt in 2010 came from Europe. Despite recent decreases seen
in rates of tourism, this number has stabilized in recent years at 70%.
Meanwhile
Egypt remains South Africa’s third largest trading partner in North
Africa, with total exports to the former reaching $19.8m. South African
exports reaching Egypt from January to March 2010 meanwhile totaled
upwards of $43.41m.
Click on their website austpay.com.
沒有留言:
張貼留言