Struggling Community Health Systems, who has been divesting hospitals and assets at a feverish pace, has rejected a $2.4 billion offer for Lutheran Health Network made by a group of local doctors, according to Fort Wayne newspaper the Journal Gazette.
The article said CHS stated the offer undervalued the network by at least a billion dollars.
The Gazette said 10 physicians formed Fort Wayne Physicians, then approached CHS about the sale. However, CHS said they refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement, did not submit a written offer and asked CHS to pay their legal and advisory fees.
[Also: CHS spin-off Quorum Health loses $22 million, divests 2 hospitals]
The article also said the doctors hadn't made clear whether they wanted to buy the whole network or just the Fort Wayne assets.
Meanwhile, group of local personnel including officials have raised their voices in opposition, expressing the desire to keep the Lutheran network's profits in the community rather than having them go to CHS. Also, some "disgruntled" workers are planning to rally Saturday, which comes a week after an announcement from CHS that the system planned on investing half a billion dollars into the Lutheran network in the next five to six years.
[Also: CHS sells two hospitals to HCA Healthcare, reports higher-than-expected first quarter earnings]
The article cited a social media message that announced the rally asking people to attend and show support for patients, physicians, employees and the community, saying the showing needs to "tell CHS their offer of $500 million is too little, too late" and that "trust is earned not purchased."
CHS had not returned our request for more information or comment at the time this article was published.
Twitter: @BethJSanborn