Georgia officials have agreed to the takeover of the Augusta University hospitals associated with the state’s only public medical school.
The state Board of Regents approved agreements to transfer control of the hospitals to Marietta-based Wellstar Health System, saying the deal may take effect in late summer.
Gov. Brian Kemp and University System Chancellor Sonny Perdue pushed hard to conclude the deal, driven by concerns over the financial struggles of the Augusta University Health System, which runs the 478-bed Augusta University Medical Center and the 154-bed Children’s Hospital of Georgia, both in Augusta.
Wellstar runs nine hospitals in suburban Atlanta, mostly concentrated in the northwest suburbs. It said it has pledged to invest nearly $800 million in AUHS facilities, including more than $200 million for the main Augusta University Medical Center.