Boone Hospital and MU Health Care decide to “pause negotiations” on merger

Boone Hospital Center trustees and MU Health Care officials released a joint statement on Thursday announcing the decision to pause negotiations for their potential partnership after more than six months of exclusive negotiations.

ABC 17 News previously reported that the two hospitals were in talks to merge after the Boone Hospital lease with BJC Healthcare ends in 2020.

Officials said in the statement they “were unable to fully align at this time on the mission and strategic direction necessary for the proposed partnership.”

“I think we just came to a point where we couldn’t agree on some things and it wasn’t in really either sides best interest to keep moving forward,” said Brian Neuner, chairman of the Boone Hospital Board of Trustees. “So we decided to push the pause button. We’re going to reevaluate our options and then try to move forward from there.”

Both hospitals agreed that their primary interest is to do what is best for their patients, employees and communities they serve.

MU Health Care CEO Jonathan Curtright released the following statement Thursday:

“We are extremely grateful and appreciative of the time and energy all parties invested to discuss what a partnership could look like. As an academic health system, we are committed to being good stewards of our resources and ensuring balance across the three priorities central to our mission: advancing clinical excellence, driving world-class research, and fostering educational opportunities. While our decision to pause negotiations is difficult, there is a tremendous amount of mutual respect for the BHC Board of Trustees and we know that they share our ultimate goal to do what is in the best interest of those we serve.”

Officials ended the statement by saying the two hospitals are committed to providing patient-centered care and will remain willing to explore future collaborations.

“I hope they hit the reset button on that pause,” said Columbia Mayor Brian Treece.

Treece said he believes the partnership would help the city’s economy and strengthen Columbia’s position as a place for health care.

“We have the opportunity to be a real model when it comes to creating the type of synergy and that type of local cooperation on health care,” he said.

The hospital partnership was also on the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s list of legislative priorities for 2018. President Matt McCormick said the chamber supports the hospitals’ decision.

“We always support the hospitals,” he said. “They’re going to continue to work on making sure what’s best, and it’s really ‘Where do we play a part, if we can play a part, in assisting the hospitals?'”

Boone Hospital Center has until the end of 2018 to make a decision on its current partnership with BJC Healthcare.

For more background on the merger, click here.