New Official Merger Signs for Manchester Memorial Hospital-Hartford HealthCare

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A New Era for Manchester Memorial Hospital

Manchester, CT — On New Year's Day, the sale of Manchester Memorial Hospital to Hartford HealthCare officially became a reality. This milestone was marked by the installation of new signage across the hospital, from the main entrance to the emergency room and even the outbuildings. The transformation is not just cosmetic; it signals a significant shift in the hospital’s operations and future direction.

Hartford HealthCare acquired both Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospitals, along with their related assets, as part of the Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN). The purchase was made from Prospect Medical Holdings for $86.1 million, with an additional $225.7 million pledged over three years for improvements. This move brings the hospitals back under nonprofit status, aligning them with the broader Hartford HealthCare network.

The transition has brought about more than just new signs. The name of Rockville Hospital has been updated to "Manchester Memorial Hospital Rockville Campus," reflecting its new identity within the larger system. This change is part of a broader effort to streamline services and improve coordination between facilities.

Regulatory Approval and Conditions

In mid-December, the Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (OHS) approved Hartford HealthCare’s Emergency Certificate of Need (CON) application, which included the transfer of Manchester Memorial Hospital, Rockville General Hospital, and other assets. The decision came 40 days after the application was deemed complete, ensuring continuity of care for residents in Eastern Connecticut while addressing concerns about healthcare access and quality.

Acting Commissioner Amy Porter emphasized the importance of the process, stating that the expedited decision was made possible by the emergency CON statute. The OHS staff conducted a rigorous and efficient review, resulting in several conditions imposed on the transfer of ownership.

Among the key requirements are:

• Initial Assessment and Strategic Plan: The Hartford HealthCare subsidiary must provide an initial assessment of the condition of both hospitals and a strategic integration plan within nine months.
• Community Engagement: The community must be involved in strategic planning and health needs assessments within nine months.
• Service Maintenance: Services offered under the Manchester Memorial Hospital license, including the Rockville campus, must be maintained for at least three years or 90 days after the publication of the second Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
• Emergency Department Preservation: A 24/7 emergency department in Vernon must be preserved for at least three years.
• Behavioral Health Services: Full complement of inpatient behavioral health services must be maintained within 30 miles of the Rockville campus.

Commitment to Quality and Affordability

Governor Lamont expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that ensuring quality and affordable services for families and communities has always been a top priority. He praised Hartford HealthCare for its commitment to Manchester, Vernon, and surrounding areas.

The decision also includes conditions aimed at slowing cost growth. These include:

• Reimbursement Rates: Adopting all existing reimbursement rates with healthcare payers and negotiating future rates separately for Manchester Memorial Hospital.
• Cost Constraints: Constraining growth in commercial reimbursements and tying negotiated rates to the Cost Growth Benchmark and the Consumer Price Index for Medical Care in New England (CPI-U Medical).
• Outpatient Services: Maintaining existing ECHN outpatient, non-hospital physician offices, or any offices resulting from future acquisitions, without converting to hospital-based status for billing or reimbursement purposes for three years.

Ongoing Oversight and Future Steps

The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Health have regulatory oversight of components of this transaction. Additional conditions may be imposed by one or both entities.

The Emergency CON process was established in anticipation of the situation created by Prospect Medical Holdings' bankruptcy. Legislation passed and signed by Governor Lamont as part of Public Act 25-2 on March 3, 2025, became effective upon passage.

This decision marks the first completed Emergency CON. The University of Connecticut Health Center filed an Emergency CON application related to the transfer of Waterbury Hospital and its assets on December 5, 2025.