U of L forms partnership with hospital group

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville has announced a partnership with a group of Kentucky hospitals.

The partnership is between the university's medical center and KentuckyOne, which is a merger of Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and St. Joseph Health System in Lexington.

The Courier-Journal reports that U of L President James Ramsey says the partnership will allow University Hospital's board to continue control over the "public asset."

Gov. Steve Beshear blocked U of L Hospital's effort earlier this year to merge with the other hospitals over concerns about losing public control along with church and state issues, since Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives would have had majority control in the deal.

KentuckyOne and the university said Wednesday that the hospital's policies for reproductive and end-of-life care would not be affected by the new partnership.