The three health systems in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, had been discussing a potential deal since February.
Eight months after three-way talks of a potential partnership involving Care New England and Partners HealthCare began, Lifespan has abandoned its efforts to make a deal happen.
Despite working "creatively and tirelessly" toward a partnership, Lifespan board chair Lawrence A. Aubin Sr. said the Providence, Rhode Island–based health system could not come to an agreement with Boston-based Partners HealthCare, as the Providence Journal reported this week.
"We remain open to collaborations with like-minded organizations that are committed to our mission," Aubin added.
Partners HealthCare said last year that it intended to acquire Providence-based Care New England, the second-largest health system in Rhode Island.
Providence-based Brown University said in January that it was working to acquire Care New England to keep services in Rhode Island, rather than letting Partners HealthCare shift services into Massachusetts. But Care New England decided to proceed with Partners HealthCare instead.
Lifespan had been added to talks of a potential partnership in February.
Rich Copp, a spokesperson for Partners HealthCare, said the talks with Care New England continue to move forward.
"While our current discussions with Lifespan are not moving forward," Copp told the Journal, "we are hopeful that in the years ahead we can continue to work collaboratively with them to ensure that patients in Rhode Island have access to excellent care."
Steven Porter is an associate content manager and Strategy editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.