ALBANY, N.Y.-- The CEOs of the Northeast Health, Saint Peter's and Seton Health coupled together to make an announcement at Saint Peter's on Friday, for the three hospitals got the go ahead to complete their merge.
In the short term, if you use one of their doctors you won't notice a change, but over the next few years, hospital officials are saying the merger will reduce costs and improve care.
The announcement was the last step in their plans, which have been three years in the making. With nearly 12,000 employees and 125 locations, the deal will make this new system, the largest health care provider in the area.
Hospital officials said it's not just about consolidation, but growth.
"We have plans to close nothing at this present moment but subject to what we learn, will there be opportunities and will it make sense, we don't know," said St. Peter's President & CEO Steven Boyle. "But it those present themselves of course, we will."
The one service this new system will not provide is abortions. Hospital officials said they've determined most women opt for private doctor's offices for those procedures.
They now estimate it will take three years before the merger is fully complete.
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