In July, the Seattle-based health system announced plans to merge with Tacoma, Wash.-based CHI Franciscan.
Jim Haven, MD, a retired surgeon, and Richard Twiss, MD, a former cardiology specialist, object to the deal, arguing that it will decrease access to specialty services and lead to fewer specialized physicians and lower-quality care.
Virginia Mason Memorial affiliated with Virginia Mason Health System in 2016. It is now the only hospital in Yakima after Astria Regional Medical Center closed in January, as part of bankruptcy proceedings.
Members of the retired medical community in Yakima met Oct. 22 to discuss terminating the proposed merger.
The health system said it plans to “maintain and expand access points for patients” in the community, according to the Yakima Herald.
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