ECHN seeks to join growing list of CT hospitals merging and converting to for-profit

The Hartford Business Journal is reporting that ECHN, parent of Manchester Memorial and Rockville General Hospitals, is close to selling to Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., a for-profit chain based in Nashville. ECHN made $3.7 million margin (profit) in 2012. The article reports that Bristol and Waterbury hospitals are also in discussion with Vanguard. This continues a consolidation trend among Connecticut hospitals. Advocates have been concerned about the consolidating market, impact on competition and, consequently, health costs. There are also deep concerns about access to care for Connecticut’s 300,000 uninsured and underinsured residents in Connecticut’s growing for-profit hospital environment.