A good outcome: HCA, Frisbie officials hail AG's office decision to allow merger

Tim McManus, president of HCA's Capital Division, left; and Brian Hughes, the chairman of the Board of Directors of FMH, both hailed the AG;s decision. (Courtesy photos)

CONCORD - Frisbie Memorial Hospital and HCA Healthcare officials both hailed on Monday the decision released by the state's Attorney General's Office that it would not stand in the way of Frisbie's merger with HCA.

The state's Department of Justice Charitable Trusts Unit and Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau agreed that far from hurting the competitive healthcare marketplace, the acquisition of Frisbie by HCA would, in fact, enhance competiveness thanks to the infusion of resources and efficiencies by HCA into FMH.

Brian Hughes, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of FMH, said he was thankful that after a thorough inspection of the agreement, the AG's office had given its consent to move forward.

"After a lengthy and thorough regulatory process, the Board of Trustees is very pleased the Attorney General's office has issued the decision that allows us to finalize the partnership with HCA Healthcare," Hughes said in a statement released late Monday afternoon. "There is still some work to complete, but moving forward, we know our community will benefit from the high level of service and care that Frisbie Memorial Hospital is known for."

Hughes also extended his gratitude to all those within the Frisbie community that helped to push the arrangement over the goal line.

The review by the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau established that while the proposed transaction is not competitively neutral, its potential impact on competition as analyzed does not warrant formal action at this time, the statement read.

"Some relevant factors supporting this conclusion include the following: first, although Frisbie and Portsmouth Regional Hospital are less than 30 miles apart, each hospital primarily draws from a different patient base; second, Frisbie employs a relatively modest number of physicians in the Seacoast region and, comparatively, HCA employs a smaller number of physicians than Frisbie; and, third, this transaction, if completed, could make it more likely that Frisbie will be competitive with hospitals that are in the region, thereby helping to maintain and foster competition," the statement from the Bureau read.

The proposed acquisition will be through a subsidiary, FMH Health Services, LLC.

Tim McManus, President of HCA's Capital Division, which includes two other New Hampshire hospitals, said HCA is looking forward to continuing the healthcare excellence Frisbie has been offering Rochester residents for more than a 100 years.

"We are pleased with the Attorney General's confirmation and are continuing to work through the due diligence," said McManus. "Frisbie has served the Rochester community for over 100 years and, together, we are excited to continue this legacy of caring for many years to come."

A final approval by the courts is expected in weeks, not months, The Rochester Voice has learned.