UnityPoint Health, one of Iowa's largest healthcare systems, has called off its merger with South Dakota-based Sanford Health.
In a statement, the organization said did not give a specific reason for the decision, but said after "significant consideration" it will "not be moving ahead with the formal partnership."
“I’m tremendously proud of our organization and we will continue to work tirelessly to evaluate any avenue that improves the delivery of health care,” said UnityPoint CEO Kevin Vermeer, in a statement.
The companies announced in June they had signed a letter of intent to join their brands. At the time, they said they expected the merger to be complete by the end of this year.
UnityPoint Health is based in West Des Moines. It operates 32 hospitals and 280 clinics in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Sanford Health is based in Sioux Falls, S.D. It operates 44 hospitals and 482 clinics in nine countries and 26 states.
