Hartford HealthCare moves closer to buying two hospitals

Hartford HealthCare has taken a key step toward acquiring two Connecticut hospitals.

The health system has secured approval from a federal bankruptcy judge to buy Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital from Prospect Medical Holdings, which filed for bankruptcy in January.

The deal still requires approval from Connecticut state officials, but Hartford HealthCare welcomed the bankruptcy court signing off on the system’s bid.

“We are pleased and proud that Hartford HealthCare has been named the buyer of Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals by the bankruptcy court.

As a Connecticut-based health system with national reputation and track record of excellence, Hartford HealthCare is uniquely positioned to deliver on our promise to these communities,” the system said in a statement.

ECHN Holdings, a subsidiary of Hartford HealthCare, submitted an $86.1 million bid for the two hospitals last month, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Dallas, Texas.

Manchester Memorial Hospital, a 249-bed community hospital, is based in Manchester, about 10 minutes east of Hartford. Rockville General Hospital is a 100-bed facility in Vernon, Connecticut, about 12 miles east of Hartford.

Hartford HealthCare has said it plans to make investments to improve the facilities and bolster staff at the two hospitals. The system said it has a strong track record in boosting healthcare services and patient safety when it acquires hospitals.

“We are actively working to provide resources to stabilize and grow the workforce, enhance quality and safety, and make strategic investments in people, programs, technologies, facilities, and community partnerships,” Hartford said in the news release.

Hartford HealthCare operates seven acute care hospitals and nearly 500 healthcare locations across Connecticut. The system added over 50 healthcare locations in 2022 and 2023. Assuming the deal secures final approval from regulators, Hartford would have nine hospitals in its footprint.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the state and community stakeholders to complete the next steps in this journey and to advance our mission: ‘To improve the health and healing of all,’” the system said.

Hartford HealthCare received the American Hospital Association’s 2025 Quest for Quality Prize. The association praised Hartford’s efforts to improve patient safety and reduce infections.

In another significant deal affecting the Connecticut hospital market this year, Northwell Health completed its acquisition of Nuvance Health in May. Nuvance operates seven hospitals in Connecticut and New York.

Nationwide, there were only a handful of hospital deals in the early months of the year, but more hospital mergers and acquisitions have been announced in recent months. As many hospital systems continue to experience financial pressures, industry analysts expect struggling hospitals to look for partnerships with stronger health systems.

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