Clinics could merge with hospital

Wenatchee Medical Center reviews new option

COLUMBIA BASIN - Wenatchee Valley Medical Center is continuing to look at options for offsetting proposed Medicare legislation, including merging with a hospital.

The medical center operates Moses Lake Clinic and Royal City Clinic.

The legislation, included in a Senate bill, prohibits physician-owned facilities from receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments, said Board President and CEO David Weber. The center is entirely physician-owned.

Options the hospital is discussing include becoming a not-for-profit facility, becoming a not-for-profit and merging with another organization, or being purchased by another organization, Weber said.

Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and Central Washington Hospital have been in discussions about the possibility of a merger, Weber said.

"There might be some strength in a merger like that," he said.

He emphasized the hospital is at a "thinking" stage.

"There's certainly no decision that's been made on which direction we're going to go," Weber said.

The medical center is waiting to see what happens with the bill before making a decision, he said.

As another option, the medical center could be purchased by a not-for-profit or a for-profit company, but the option is not desirable, Weber said.

"We believe that would be disruptive to the strong, well-developed rural health care network in (North Central Washington) and the Columbia Basin," he said.

Weber said the medical center's goal is to remain in business, continue providing health care services and preserve jobs.

"We think that it's more and more looking like the bill won't happen by the end of the year because Congress is running out of time," he noted.