Sanford Health to pursue merger with Iowa's UnityPoint

[TexasTowelie]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota-based Sanford Health and Iowa's UnityPoint Health said Friday that the two health care providers plan to merge, in an agreement that would create a sprawling health system in the northern Plains and Midwest.

The Argus Leader reported that if the merger is approved by regulators, it could be finalized by the end of this year.

The providers said in a joint statement that the merger would place the company among the top 15 largest nonprofit health systems nationwide. The new organization would employ more than 83,000 staff members, 2,600 physicians and have more than $11 billion in revenue.

UnityPoint operates 32 hospitals and has relationships with 280 physician clinics throughout Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Sanford Heath's organization includes 44 hospitals, 1,400 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and nine countries.

Read more: https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/sanford-health-to-pursue-merger-with-iowa-s-unitypoint/article_e7e285ac-0e5f-5ce9-bc7e-a02ac5ef7204.html

I wonder if the merger plans might get derailed because of this news:

Doctors Allege Sanford Made Millions on Medicare/Medicaid Fraud with Implanting Unnecessary Bone Screws
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1238597

Cross-posted in the South Dakota Group.

[progressoid]

1. There is a lot of mixed feelings about Sanford in SD.

Mostly due to it's namesake, Denny Sanford. He made a shit-ton of money fleecing people with high credit card rates and fees. Now he's putting his name on anything he can.