Share Copy link Email LinkedIn X/Twitter Facebook Print New Jersey nonprofit health systems Hackensack Meridian Health and Hunterdon Health are considering a merger, as regional hospitals continue to explore partnerships to keep up with larger, better-resourced competitors. HMH and Hunterdon have signed a letter of intent to merge after the boards of both systems voted to move forward, according to a press release on Monday. Still, the letter of intent is nonbinding and doesn’t represent a final deal. No immediate changes are planned at HMH or Hunterdon as the pair work toward a definitive agreement, the press release said. Details are scarce on the terms of the inchoate deal, as the combination is still in the very early days. HMH and Hunterdon still have to do due diligence, perform negotiations and get approval from state and federal regulators, according to a FAQ…

Alfano is replacing current CEO Patrick Gavin when he retires at the end of this month. Unlike many regional hospitals across the U.S. forced to sell in order to keep their doors open, Hunterdon is not seeking a partner to rescue it from dire financial straits. The operator, which oversees more than 30 medical practices along with its flagship teaching hospital, the 178-bed Hunterdon Medical Center, is on stable footing. Though Hunterdon posted a small operating loss in the first quarter of 2026, the system brought in more than $11 million in operating income last year, up from about $2 million the year prior. Fitch Ratings moved Hunterdon’s rating outlook from negative to stable last August, citing the company’s improved cash flow and various strengths, including a “very good” payer mix and Hunterdon’s dominance in its service area.