Dive Brief:

Western Pennsylvania-based Independence Health System plans to join West Virginia University Health System in the fall of next year, the systems announced Wednesday.

Under the proposed merger, which is subject to regulator reviews and approvals, Independence Health’s five hospitals as well as its affiliated physician groups will operate under WVU Medicine’s brand.

The systems say the deal will offer operational and financial efficiencies through resource sharing and allow the providers to expand clinical services and access to specialty care.

Dive Insight:

Partnering with WVU Health could be a financial lifeline. Independence is a young health system, having just formed in 2023 through the merger of Butler Health System and Excela Health. It entered the year attempting

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