Chi, PeaceHealth Suspend Discussions on Joint-Venture in Pacific Northwest

Catholic Health Initiatives and PeaceHealth agreed on Tuesday to suspend discussions to explore the formation of a unified, integrated regional health system in the Pacific Northwest.

The two health systems signed a nonbinding agreement in mid-August to create an innovative partnership that would allow both organizations to strengthen and extend their healing ministries.

Even with their common traditions of service, CHI and PeaceHealth were unable to develop an integrated model that would provide the desired benefits and serve the best interests of both organizations. CHI and PeaceHealth will remain actively engaged in exploring other opportunities to work together to strengthen their respective ministries in the Pacific Northwest.

Through this process, CHI and PeaceHealth leaders developed a strong relationship based on the compatibility of the organizations, and they will continue to seek opportunities for growth and creative ways to better serve their communities.

About Catholic Health Initiatives: Catholic Health Initiatives is a national nonprofit health system with headquarters in Englewood, Colo. The faith-based system operates in 17 states and includes 78 hospitals; 40 long-term care, assisted- and residential-living facilities; two community health-services organizations; two accredited nursing colleges; and home health agencies. In fiscal year 2012, CHI provided more than $715 million in charity care and community benefit, including services for the poor, free clinics, education and research. With total annual revenues of more than $10.7 billion and approximately 83,000 employees, CHI ranks as the nation’s second-largest faith-based health system.

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth is a not-for-profit health care system with services located in Alaska, Washington and Oregon. PeaceHealth operates a large multi-specialty medical group in all three states, laboratories, a Medicaid health plan (Columbia United Providers), and nine medical centers, four which are critical access hospitals. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, PeaceHealth has provided exceptional medicine and compassionate care to Northwest communities for more than a century. Annual revenues are approximately $2.3 billion, with $192 million provided last year in charity care and community benefit. PeaceHealth clinics have more than one million patient visits annually, and serve all people who seek their services. PeaceHealth consistently receives national recognition for quality and innovation in patientcentered care, patient safety, health care technology and cost efficiency.