Citing antitrust concerns, the New Hampshire Attorney General's office is objecting to a proposed merger between Exeter Hospital, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital.
In a statement, Attorney General Gordon MacDonald said the merger would reduce competition for healthcare services on the Seacoast and potentially increase prices for consumers.
The state's Charitable Trust Unit spent a year reviewing the proposal which would have placed all three hospitals under a single umbrella.
The hospitals meanwhile issued a joint statement calling the AG's findings "wholly unfounded.” They claim the merger would create efficiencies and improve care for people in the region.
The hospitals say they remain committed to the idea of the merger and that they plan to address the AG's concerns in ongoing discussions.
