Report: LifePoint in talks to buy Ardent

LifePoint Health is in talks to buy Ardent Health Services, reports The Wall Street Journal, valuing the company at more than $2 billion with debt. 

The deal would create a more than 100-hospital network worth nearly $10 billion including debt, according to the report, passing Nashville-based Ardent from Sam Zell’s Equity Group Investments to Apollo Global Management. New York-based Apollo bought LifePoint in 2018 for $5.6 billion and merged with Brentwood-based RCCH HealthCare Partners, with intent to consolidate more health care systems in the region.