Naples- based Health Management Associates had its annual shareholders meeting Wednesday and voted overwhelming in favor of a merger with Community Health Systems-- another hospital chain.
A small group of nurses protested against the merger right outside the company’s meeting at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. The nurses came from as far away as California.
Steve Matthews, who works with National Nurses Organizing Committee said the merger could mean higher health care prices.
“It would make it the largest hospital corporation in the country,” he said. “We have real concerns because 6 of the 9 most expensive hospitals in the country are owned by these two corporations.”
Like most of the nurses present, Elaine Wheel from Pennsylvania works for a hospital in the Community Health Systems chain. She said the merger could compromise patient care.
“Since CHS took over ownership of our hospital we have seen many changes often not for the better,” she said. “We have seen our staffing decrease, nurse to patient ratios increase.”
Wheel said she would have preferred that CHS spend its money on patient care—instead of a multibillion dollar hospital merger.
HMA says the merger is a positive change.
In a statement, HMA Board Chairman Steve Shulman said "HMA and Community Health Systems are stronger together.”
“The combined entity will be better positioned to address healthcare trends and challenges,” he said in the statement.
HMA has 23 hospitals in Florida—six in Southwest Florida.
