Mayor: Waterbury hospital merger may collapse

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) — Waterbury's mayor says a proposal to merge two local hospitals may fall apart.

The Republican-American reports that Mayor Neil M. O'Leary says he was notified on Tuesday that LHP Hospital Group of Plano, Texas, has withdrawn from an initial agreement with Saint Mary's and Waterbury" hospitals.

O'Leary said Waterbury Hospital also has threatened to pull out of the venture if the three sides did not reach an agreement by Aug. 31.

The newspaper reports that the two hospitals would not confirm or deny any correspondence, but said discussions are continuing.

One snag may be over abortions and other women's health services banned by Catholic hospitals. A compromise would be to build a surgical center providing otherwise prohibited services.

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Information from: Republican-American