Merger Fever: Winchester, Hallmark Consider Joint Venture

WBUR's Martha Bebinger reports that two community hospital networks north of Boston are the latest to begin talks about a merger or affiliation.

Winchester Hospital and Hallmark Health, which includes Lawrence Memorial and Melrose-Wakefield hospitals are in discussions about a possible joint future. Hallmark Health spokesman Rick Pozniak says hospitals would need to form larger networks if the state requires managing health care payments on a budget.

"Hospitals are trying to determine the best way of meeting those payment expectations and in some cases, collaboration, partnerships, affiliations is a road that many have considered and some are even implementing today," he said.

Pozniak says talks began a few weeks ago and there’s no timeline for a decision.