Rice Memorial Hospital and Affiliated Community Medical Centers have announced a new joint venture by merging their respective cancer care and medical imaging services.
This looks to be a good move for the two health organizations and the health market of west central Minnesota.
In simple terms, Rice Hospital and ACMC will cease competing for patients in these two service areas and eliminate service duplication within the Willmar market.
The new joint venture partnership is expected to begin operation Jan. 1. City approval is still needed on the agreement which has been approved by the Rice and ACMC boards.
Good quality health care is a critical need for the community of Willmar and the west central region. There is growing interest in the market in local cancer treatment and imaging services.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, no one -- especially patients -- benefits from the two primary health organizations in Willmar competing over cancer patients and medical imaging services.
The strategic alliance between Rice and ACMC is also important from a health organization competitive standpoint. The Rice-ACMC commitment will help strengthen the two organizations in a health care market that is being more competitive each year.
The Willmar City Council should approve this new Rice-ACMC venture.
