According to numerous published reports out of the Constitution State, University of Connecticut Health Center has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Bristol Health to take over Bristol Hospital and make it part of the UConn Health Community Network. CT Mirror reports that the deal is on track to be finalized by December or January, according to Bristol Hospital CEO Kurt Barwis.
The organizations still must develop a formal agreement and obtain a certificate of need for the state to approve the deal, the outlet reports, adding that Mr. Barwis said “the structure of the deal, including the price the state will pay for the hospital,” was not included in the letter of intent.
CT Mirror writes that Bristol Hospital has struggled financially in recent years and is one of “only a handful of remaining independent community hospitals left” in Connecticut. “In 2024, Bristol Hospital had an operating margin of -4.7%, compared to a statewide average of -2.3%, according to a report from the state Office of Health Strategy. The year before, the hospital had an operating margin of -10.2%,” it reports.
Earlier in April, Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam “announced a similar pending letter of intent, with the aim of closing a deal to be acquired by UConn by October,” writes CT Mirror, adding that in March, UConn Health completed its purchase of Waterbury Hospital.
