Review of Proposed Transaction between Catholic Medical Center and HCA Healthcare, Inc.

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that both his Office’s Charitable Trust Unit and Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau will be separately reviewing the following matter.

On June 28, 2024, the Charitable Trust Unit of the New Hampshire Department of Justice received a Joint Notice of a proposed healthcare acquisition between Catholic Medical Center, and its affiliates, and HCA Healthcare, Inc. Pursuant to RSA 7:19-b, the Director of the Charitable Trusts Unit will engage in a comprehensive review of HCA’s proposed acquisition of Catholic Medical Center to determine whether it complies with statute, including whether Catholic Medical Center has exercised due diligence in determining that the transaction is in the best interest of the communities served, including the need for access to quality and affordable physical and mental health care services. The Director’s review will involve receiving public comment as to the proposed transaction as well as seeking input and advice from the New Hampshire Departments of Health and Human Services and Insurance.

The Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau will engage in a separate review of the proposed transaction pursuant to its authority under RSA 356 and RSA 358-A. The Bureau’s review will examine the likely impact that the proposed transaction would have on competition in New Hampshire.

“The Attorney General’s Office review of healthcare acquisitions within our state is vital to ensure that our citizens are receiving the best health care services at reasonable cost.  Over the coming months, our Office will engage in a comprehensive review of the proposed acquisition of Catholic Medical Center by HCA to determine whether the transaction meets all requirements of New Hampshire law,” said Attorney General John Formella.

Documents submitted to the Charitable Trust Unit for review are publicly available on the NH Department of Justice website: https://www.doj.nh.gov/bureaus/charitable-trusts/catholic-medical-center-hca-healthcare-inc-proposed-transaction.