Years of uncertainty surrounding the future of Forum Health appear to have been resolved.
"We have found that CHS is making a significant commitment to the future success of all three hospitals that are part of the Forum Health system," Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray said Monday.
The sale of Forum Health ends an 18-month process for the health center to find a new owner. Community Health System bid $120 million for Forum. Cordray said, other than being the highest bidder, CHS also had the best plan.
"So we do feel the commitments to invest $80 million in the system, the indigent care policy, these were material factors to us in giving our approval," said Cordray.
He also said Ohio will keep a watchful eye on Community Health over the next few years to make sure they are keeping their promises.
"If we find later that any of those representations are fraudulently made or falsely made, we will bring action to hold them to those commitments."
CHS had the winning bid of $120 million to buy Forum in bankruptcy court last month.
Since that time, Cordray's office has worked feverishly to complete a review of the Tennessee-based company. Cordray highlighted parts of Community Health's plans including that the system would continue indigent care policy and retain current workers.
In a written statement Monday Community Health said: "We are excited about the opportunity to work with the medical staffs and employees of these hospitals as they deliver on their commitment to provide high-quality care for their communities."
Forum and Community Health will go before a federal bankruptcy judge within the next 10 days to move the sale forward. The state and CHS hope to close the sale by Oct. 1.
