LOUISIVLLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- New report on the U of L Hospital merger is out just days before Governor Steve Beshear is expected to make a decision on the plan.
The report casts new light on what impact the merger could have on the future of healthcare in state.
The report was spearheaded by Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell, who enlisted a Northwestern University professor to evaluate the proposed merger.
The merger requires Gov. Beshear's approval to move forward and Wednesday Beshear said he would make every effort to have a decision by the end of the year, which is this Saturday.
“There are no inclinations and there's no presumptions," Gov. Steve Beshear said.
Gov. Steve Beshear wouldn't show his cards when asked about whether or not he’ll allow the merger of University and Jewish Hospital to come together with St. Mary's Healthcare and Saint Joseph Health System in Lexington, who both are owned by Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives.
"U of L and Jewish will undoubtedly benefit financially from the investment of CHI. On the other side of the ledger, there are the issues about a public entity that we now have and losing control of that entity," Beshear added.
Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson was also less than candid on the merger.
"I support the ultimate decision," Abramson said.
Others continue to oppose the merger.
"I’m not willing to gamble on healthcare," opponent to the merger Honi Goldman said.
Opponents of the merger like Goldman continue to hold their ground.
"I hope that the governor does not yield to politics and does not yield to pressure from people that are old white men, but that he does what's best for the commonwealth and the citizens of the common wealth," Goldman said.
On Wednesday, a report by Dr. David Dranove, of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University weighed the pros and cons of the plan.
Dranove says University Hospital faces a quote "dire financial future" if the merger doesn't go through.
The report also shows control of University Hospital would be transferred to a board selected by the merged corporation. Despite being non-profit, the hospital quote "will no longer be committed to the same mission as previously."
Dranove says mergers like this are the wave of the future and recommends the state makes sure money doesn't come before the mission if the hospitals merge.
The governor says he'll wait for Attorney General Conway's opinion on the merger before making his decision.
All signs point to that report being released Thursday.
Click here to see the full report.
