Prime Healthcare eyes Bayonne Medical Center (updated)

1. Prime Healthcare eyes Bayonne Medical Center (updated) NJBIZ has learned Prime Healthcare has expressed interest in Bayonne Medical Center. Prime Healthcare joins Hackensack Meridian Health and Atlantic Health as potential suitors for the medical center. A company spokesperson told NJBIZ that Prime Healthcare’s mission is to rescue and transform hospitals so patients can continue to have access to quality care close to home. Prime said that it has preserved and improved 45 hospitals across the United States and is always looking for opportunities to further its mission of saving hospitals for communities. “Prime has never closed or sold a hospital and we strive to keep as many doors open as we can,” the spokesperson said. CarePoint Health announced in October that it was looking for a strategic partner for the acute care facility. At press time, CarePoint Health did not return NJBIZ’s request for comment. Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare owns four acute care hospitals and a behavioral health facility in New Jersey: Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital, Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital, Saint Michael’s Medical Center and Saint Clare’s Behavioral Health. Bayonne residents and local officials have been concerned that the medical center would be shut down if a partner were not found. In November, the Bayonne City Council approved the creation of the Bayonne Municipal Hospital Authority that would give the city government the power to purchase the hospital if necessary. Erica