Mercy Hospital in Scranton is up for sale.
Those who run the place and all other Mercy facilities in our area said Wednesday they are already in talks with organizations interested in buying.
Mercy Health Partners hopes to have a buyer by the end of the year.
Officials said there are numerous reasons for the sale. One big one is the heath care reform bill signed into law this year.
The potential sale includes Mercy Hospital in Scranton, Mercy Tyler Hospital in Tunkhannock and Mercy Special Care Hospital in Nanticoke.
For almost a century there has been a Catholic hospital in Scranton. Now it looks like that will be coming to an end.
The Sisters of Mercy first opened Mercy Hospital in Scranton in 1917. Now the facility and all other Mercy locations in the area are up for sale.
"There is always sadness and mourning when you think of letting go of anything but the Sisters of Mercy are strongly supportive of this decision because we do understand the realities of health care and we do think it's best for the community," said Sister Marie Parker of Mercy Health Partners.
She and Mercy Health Partners CEO Kevin Cook said they are already in talks with potential buyers.
They said Mercy isn't struggling but, they added, now is the time to make a sale.
"We are in position of strength and it's always better to make a move for the future from that position," Sister Marie Parke added.
"Actually we're doing well. We're ahead of budget for the year. It's more that when we look out over the landscape of health care over the next five years and the needs of these facilities, the needs of this community, we understand a different level of investment will be needed than what we can do on our own," Cook said.
They said much of that required investment is the result of the health care reform bill passed in Washington.
The CEO said it means the need for more spending and less federal reimbursements.
"Health care reform is absolutely playing a role. Was it the precipitating factor in this decision? No, but was it a factor in our planning over the next five years? Absolutely," Cook added.
"It's one of the few hospitals we always came to. My wife just came from there right now," said one long-time patient.
Those who have used Mercy for years said they have gotten used to the Mercy way.
Mercy officials won't say what potential buyers are in current negotiations.
They said they are committed to finding a new owner that honors the values of the Sisters of Mercy.
The potential sale should be done by the end of the year and will apply to all Mercy facilities in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Those who run the place and all other Mercy facilities in our area said Wednesday they are already in talks with organizations interested in buying.
Mercy Health Partners hopes to have a buyer by the end of the year.
Officials said there are numerous reasons for the sale. One big one is the heath care reform bill signed into law this year.
The potential sale includes Mercy Hospital in Scranton, Mercy Tyler Hospital in Tunkhannock and Mercy Special Care Hospital in Nanticoke.
For almost a century there has been a Catholic hospital in Scranton. Now it looks like that will be coming to an end.
The Sisters of Mercy first opened Mercy Hospital in Scranton in 1917. Now the facility and all other Mercy locations in the area are up for sale.
"There is always sadness and mourning when you think of letting go of anything but the Sisters of Mercy are strongly supportive of this decision because we do understand the realities of health care and we do think it's best for the community," said Sister Marie Parker of Mercy Health Partners.
She and Mercy Health Partners CEO Kevin Cook said they are already in talks with potential buyers.
They said Mercy isn't struggling but, they added, now is the time to make a sale.
"We are in position of strength and it's always better to make a move for the future from that position," Sister Marie Parke added.
"Actually we're doing well. We're ahead of budget for the year. It's more that when we look out over the landscape of health care over the next five years and the needs of these facilities, the needs of this community, we understand a different level of investment will be needed than what we can do on our own," Cook said.
They said much of that required investment is the result of the health care reform bill passed in Washington.
The CEO said it means the need for more spending and less federal reimbursements.
"Health care reform is absolutely playing a role. Was it the precipitating factor in this decision? No, but was it a factor in our planning over the next five years? Absolutely," Cook added.
"It's one of the few hospitals we always came to. My wife just came from there right now," said one long-time patient.
Those who have used Mercy for years said they have gotten used to the Mercy way.
Mercy officials won't say what potential buyers are in current negotiations.
They said they are committed to finding a new owner that honors the values of the Sisters of Mercy.
The potential sale should be done by the end of the year and will apply to all Mercy facilities in northeastern Pennsylvania.
