Clarian Health Partners, Bloomington (IN) Hospital to merge

Bloomington (IN) Hospital has been given the green light to pursue its plans to integrate with Clarian Health Partners. Indianapolis-based Clarian includes the Riley Hospital for Children, Methodist Hospital and Indiana University Hospital. Under the plan, Clarian would take control of Bloomington in early 2010. The move is the latest example of smaller hospitals across Central Indiana teaming with the large Indianapolis-based systems as competition for patients, health workers and reimbursement heats up.