5 years, 2 months ago by Scott Hardy
Blessing offered 40% share, if QMG pulled proposal for new Surgery Center
Quincy Medical Group says it received, and rejected, an offer from Blessing Healthcare System earlier this week to buy a minority share in the Surgery Center of Quincy.
QMG revealed the joint venture offer Wednesday, saying that Blessing submitted it on Monday. According to a statement from QMG CEO Carol Brockmiller, Blessing offered up to 40% of the current Surgery Center on Hampshire to "a select group of QMG physicians". Blessing would retain up to 60% ownership in the Center, which it bought from QMG in 2006. Brockmiller says that while QMG "welcomed this outreach" and "will continue to dialogue with Blessing", Brockmiller says that QMG doesn't intend to withdraw their proposal for a new Surgery Center in the former Bergner's building in the Quincy Mall. She added that Blessing asked for the withdrawal as part of the proposal, and for an agreement to not compete against them. Brockmiller also said that in the proposal, Blessing said it intends to lower its' current outpatient surgery rates at "one of their outpatient locations." She called the proposal an "11th hour overture." A state review board is set to meet March 5th on QMG's proposal for the new Surgery Center.
Blessing CEO Maureen Kahn says Blessing is disappointed QMG rejected the joint venture offer, but will continue to dialogue with QMG to preserve services and jobs. She also said in a statement that she and Blessing first learned of the rejection through the media.
