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Care for St. Clare’s
At least three health systems have expressed interest in a strategic partnership with St. Clare’s Health System: Atlantic Health, St. Barnabas and Hackensack, according to a source. A second source confirmed those entities’ interest, and said a fourth hospital…

Care for St. Clare’s
At least three health systems have expressed interest in a strategic partnership with St. Clare’s Health System: Atlantic Health, St. Barnabas and Hackensack, according to a source. A second source confirmed those entities’ interest, and said a fourth hospital or health system has thrown its hat in the ring.

On Oct. 7, St. Clare’s and its owner, Catholic Health Initiatives, issued a request for proposals “to a select group of health care organizations” to find a strategic partner, according to a release. The release referenced the rapid changes in health care and said St. Clare’s wanted “proposals that expand health care services, build a broader ambulatory network and enhance quality of care and breadth of services in northern New Jersey.”

The release asked for written submissions within 30 days, and said proposals would be evaluated in early November. St. Clare’s estimated the RFP process would take six to 12 months, but things may be moving faster. A source said St. Clare’s will narrow the finalists to two in January, then select one finalist about two weeks later. That candidate will then enter an exclusive negotiating period that could be finalized in February. Dr. Edward McManus, chairman of the St. Clare’s board of directors and past president of the St. Clare’s Medical Staff, reportedly is leading the decision.
St. Clare’s operates hospitals in Boonton, Denville, Dover and Sussex.

A St. Clare’s representative declined to comment, citing confidentiality agreements. Hackensack issued the following statement: “We understand that St. Clare’s Health System has received a number of proposals in response to its request for a potential strategic partnership. Unless or until they reach a formal agreement, it would be inappropriate for Hackensack UMC to comment.” Atlantic Health and St. Barnabas declined to comment or did not respond by deadline.

Hoping to hit jackpot
It’s unclear what changes, if any, might be made to the state’s lottery. Chris Christie administration officials have been looking to privatize the lottery ever since a transition subcommittee report recommended it. A source said lottery privatization, in some form, seemed to be moving forward, and that Macquarie had made recommendations to the state. The tipster said an external report was done but not released, and something might be made public before the holidays.

However, complications with the process have made privatization “pretty dead,” according to a lobbyist following the issue. Sources said a complicating factor in the deliberations appears to be the state’s contract with Gtech Global, from which the state bought new lottery equipment and services.

It remains to be seen whether the state will take other steps regarding the lottery, short of full privatization. The transition report recommended putting the lottery “off budget,” so that it’s not subject to budget cuts, and developing a strategic plan to improve marketing of the lottery.

The Christie administration had no comment last week.

Energy behind pipeline suit
A ruling from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Spectra Energy‘s proposed natural gas pipeline likely won’t come until April, but a citizens’ group already is preparing to sue the commission.

The pipeline would run through Jersey City and faces stiff opposition, including from Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy. But Dale Hardman, who organized the “No Gas Pipeline” group, said he has little doubt FERC will give approval to the pipeline. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection already has granted permits for the project, even though FERC’s final environmental assessment won’t be out until next month.

Hardman said the suit would be the first of its kind, so he’s not sure whether or how the group would get legal standing to sue FERC. That’s one reason they’re holding a Dec. 18 holiday party. In addition to thanking supporters, they’ll also be able to sign up more members for the group, something Hardman hopes will better his side’s case. “All we know is that more is better,” he said.

Flushing wastewater deadline
Uncertainty over wastewater management rules has been worrying developers all year, but some clarity could be brought to bear in the coming weeks, as legislators hammer out a bill addressing the issue, sources said. Paul Sarlo is expected to introduce a bill in the state Senate that would set a new deadline for counties and municipalities to update their sewer service areas, as well as allow for some streamlining of the process.

Details of the bill weren’t available last week, but development advocates hope the measure will address their concerns about uncertainty in the development process.

Grapevine reports on the behind-the-scenes buzz in the business community. Contact Editor Sharon Waters at [email protected].