The written notices from hospitals were issued the same day the resignations were announced of board Chairman Mark Collar and Ken Hanover, Health Alliance chief executive, who reportedly will become CEO of Northeast Health System Inc. in Beverly, Mass.
Weigel said the process of leaving the alliance will take months to complete, but likely would be done by year’s end.
“The Health Alliance knew exactly what we were going to do,” said Weigel. “We’re now giving them the time to decide what plans they have for the future.”
Health Alliance spokesman Tony Condia declined to comment.
The Health Alliance currently includes: University Hospital, Jewish Hospital, The Fort Hamilton Hospital, the Drake Center, West Chester Medical Center and Alliance Primary Care.
The health system is bound by a joint operating agreement that calls for its dissolution if two hospitals withdraw within 60 days of each other. The alliance could have been dissolved two years ago after St. Luke and Christ hospitals won a lengthy legal battle to leave the health network in 2007. A judge ruled against dissolving the alliance in February 2008, but internal conflict has dogged the health system since.
In June, much of the alliance board abruptly resigned and Fort Hamilton announced plans to seek a new partner.
In July, Jewish Hospital selected Mercy Health Partners to buy the hospital for $180 million. The sale is expected to be completed in four to six months. Weigel said the Health Alliance cannot survive without Jewish Hospital, the network’s most profitable.
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