CO seeks review power for nonprofit hospital deals

The Colorado legislature is considering a bill that would give the state's attorney general the right to review nonprofit hospital deals that would results in a "material change" of services. The bill was written in response to one specific deal in which a Catholic healthcare system, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, hopes to gain full ownership of the Wheat Ridge, CO-based Lutheran Medical Center and Lafayette, CO-based Good Samaritan Center. Some members of the community have objected to the deal, which would result in Lutheran and Good Samaritan having to restructure their services to meet Catholic medical directives regarding reproductive procedures and services and end-of-life care. Previously, the state's attorney general decided not to block the deal, saying it was out of his jurisdiction. However, the bill would give the AG such an option in the future when nonprofits ponder M&A transactions.

To learn more about the pending bill:
- read this Denver Business Journal piece

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