St. Louis-based SSM Health has signed letters of intent with two Missouri health systems to explore transferring ownership of its ministries in Jefferson City, Mexico and Maryville, Missouri.
According to a press release, the Catholic, not-for-profit health system is in exclusive discussions with University of Missouri Health Care (MU Health Care) to transfer ownership of its ministries in Mid-Missouri, which include SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Jefferson City and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Audrain, as well as outpatient, home care, hospice and medical group locations throughout the region.
SSM Health is also in exclusive discussions with Mosaic Life Care, based in St. Joseph, to transfer ownership of SSM Health St. Francis Hospital – Maryville and affiliated outpatient, home care, hospice and medical group locations in the area.
All parties will begin a diligence process with the goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of high-quality care in these communities.
Last year, SSM Health’s board of directors began a process of evaluating multiple options to ensure long-term sustainability and success.
“The health care industry has shifted dramatically over the past several years. In order to provide safe, high-quality health care services that are convenient and affordable, health systems must integrate all points of service across the entire continuum of care,” said Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, President/CEO of SSM Health. “Given the close proximity of MU Health Care and Mosaic Life Care’s existing services, we feel this transition of ownership will best serve the people of Jefferson City, Mexico, Maryville and surrounding communities.”
Mosaic Life Care is comprised of three hospitals and more than 60 outpatient locations, urgent care clinics and doctors’ offices throughout the greater Northwest Missouri region. A member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Mosaic provides a variety of health care services, medical specialties and innovative life care services to residents of Northwest Missouri, Northeast Kansas and Southeast Nebraska. Mosaic has a strong commitment to improving the health, well-being and vitality of the communities it serves.
MU Health Care is comprised of five hospitals in Columbia and more than 50 outpatient clinics. It is also one of only two tier-one safety net health systems in Missouri. MU Health Care’s mission is to save and improve lives, and has a proven track record of providing quality care to local communities across Missouri, as well as supporting the research and academic missions of MU Health Care.
“We share SSM Health’s commitment to improve the health of our communities through exceptional clinical care and service, and look forward to reaching an agreement that enables us to expand our presence in Jefferson City, Mexico, and beyond,” said Jonathan Curtright, CEO of MU Health Care. “As an academic health system, we will be able to offer these communities improved access to our comprehensive integrated health care services that include the latest treatments and leading-edge research available. It will also create new opportunities to train more physicians, nurses and other health professionals to care for patients throughout the state – especially those in underserved rural areas.”
The diligence process is expected to take several months. The terms of the transaction are still being finalized.
A joint operation Thursday night resulted in several arrests and citations. 
