MGHS Exploring Formal Alliance

The U.P.’s largest hospital is looking for additional money to improve patient care.

It’ll have to look outside the region for that financial help.

Marquette General Health System is considering forging a formal alliance with an outside health care firm.

Board of Trustees chair Brad Cory says several firms from across the country are under consideration.

There’s no word about which firms those are, but no matter who the partnership is made with, the purpose would be the same — to obtain millions of dollars for building projects related to patient care.

MGHS officials say the hospital is operating in the black but could use more working capital for expansions like a new outpatient surgical center and a recovery center for both inpatient and outpatient surgery.

They’re calling the potential partnership a growth move rather than a survival move.

Cory also says the health system will not change hands.

He says this won’t be a repeat of Aspirus Medical Group buying Ontonagon Memorial, Keweenaw Memorial in Laurium and Grand View Hospital in Ironwood within the last few years.

U.P. hospitals lose at least $80 million a year in revenue from patients leaving the U.P. for medical treatment.

If Marquette General could offer more and better services, patients would be less likely to leave.

Cory says none of the health system’s 2,600 employees would lose their jobs because of a partnership.

He says there would be potential for new jobs instead.

MGHS officials say they want to keep patients and others informed of what’s going on, so officials say they’ll update the public in the next few months as the partnership process is further along.

Brad Cory also says Marquette General would remain a member of Superior Health Partners after any alliance is made.