acquisition

National pharmacy chain Walgreen Co. has agreed to acquire retail clinic operator and partner Take Care Health Systems. The deal positions Walgreen to compete better with CVS/Caremark, which previously acquired retail clinic operator MinuteClinic. Take Care, which operates 50 clinics across the U.S., already runs some clinics at Walgreens locations. Walgreens will use the acquisition to power its upcoming retail clinic expansion. The chain plans to have more than 400 "Health Corner …

Over at Hospital Impact, blogger Tony Chen has nailed something that I've been noticing for several months--that staggering volumes of investor money is being pumped into healthcare companies. (Among the most recent examples is the acquisition of HealthSouth's surgery division for $945 million.) Check out Chen's posting for an interesting list of private equity and investment deals. Blog

In a deal which should create the nation's largest publicly-traded hospital operator, Community Health Systems has agreed to buy Triad Hospitals for about $6.8 billion, including $5.1 billion upfront and the assumption of $1.7 billion in debt. HCA used to be the nation's top publicly-held hospital firm, but it was taken private in a $33 billion leveraged buyout last year. In agreeing to …

Press Release: Pediatrix Provides Update on Stock Option Review

UnitedHealth stock is at the center of another controversy, this time outside of its boardroom. In this case, the state of California has set plans to fire a top HMO regulator who held UnitedHealth Group stock while participating in the approval of its $9.2 billion acquisition of PacifiCare Health Systems. The regulator, Kevin Donohue, deputy director of the Department of Managed Health Care, is on paid administrative leave while he awaits a disciplinary hearing. The state says Donohue …

One major symptom of consumer-driven healthcare's emergence: No-wait clinics in drugstores and other retail settings are drawing the attention of the mainstream business press. This BusinessWeek piece focuses on the recent acquisition of MinuteClinic, the largest provider of such services, by pharmacy chain CVS. Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid, Walgreens and Osco are also getting into the act with other clinic providers. Waiting 15 minutes for a flu shot--instead of days or weeks--sounds good to an increasing number of consumers. Article

The FTC has informed Germany-based Fresenius Medical Care that it can complete its $3.5 billion acquisition of Renal Care Group, which operates 450 hemodialysis centers in the U.S. Last year the FTC took issue with the buyout, say that the combined entity would effectively become a monopoly in 66 markets around the nation. These are markets in which Fresenius and RCG had been competitors. The buyout would essentially end competition in these areas. As part of the settlement, Fresenius …

This is another noteworthy deal for Cerner, which as been the subject of rumors involving the massive NHS IT project in the U.K. The Kansas City-based maker of healthcare software appears to be making good on Neal Patterson's pledge to expand into new territory with the acquisition of Galt & Associates, a maker of drug safety and clinical data management systems. The Fairfax, VA-based company has 10 employees and recorded $9.5 million in revenue last year.

- see this article from the Business Journal of Kansas City

Disease management vendor Healthways said it will buy smaller rival LifeMasters in a deal worth $307 million. The move opens a door for the Nashville-based company to move into Medicaid, an area where it has not previously ventured. The acquisition is expected to increase Healthways' patient base to 2.6 million. CEO Ben R. Leedle said the deal will help his company hold off the competition. "LifeMasters has worked hard to create the relationships that are necessary (to operate …

UnitedHealth Group and Humana are leading the field in Medicare Part D enrollment, according to new numbers out today. More than 90 companies are offering about 3,000 plans across the country, CMS reports. UnitedHealth, which has has benefited from an alliance with AARP and the acquisition of PacifiCare's Medicare business, is the clear leader with 27 percent of the market. Humana is trailing not far behind with 18 percent.

- read this …