Community Health Systems has completed its $7.6 billion acquisition of Florida-based Health Management Associates Inc., creating by one measure, the largest for-profit hospital company in the country.
Through its affiliates, Community Health Systems now owns, leases or operates 206 hospitals in 29 states. The organization’s affiliates employ more than 135,000 people and about 27,000 physicians serve on the medical staffs of CHS-affiliated hospitals.
“The acquisition of HMA adds about 70 more hospitals to our portfolio. Our corporate resources are very mature and will be able to support these hospitals effectively,” said Tomi Galin, a spokeswoman for CHS. “We’ve added a new operating division and also anticipate that our overall centralized support services and corporate office expansion could create close to 100 jobs in Middle Tennessee.”
Nearly 400 job losses will follow the sale of a Naples-based hospital operator.
Community Health Systems now owns Lehigh Regional Medical Center. Galin stated that CHS was scheduling layoffs but was not aware of any for Lehigh Regional Medical Center.
Statewide, 395 former employees of Health Management Associates Inc. will face layoffs, according to a so-called WARN notice filed with the state Tuesday.
The notice comes a day after Tennessee-based Community Health Systems Inc. completed its purchase of HMA.
The layoff date is listed as April 4.