BEND, OR -- The merger of St. Charles and The Center will not move as quickly as both health systems as hoped. As Willamette Week was first to report, the Oregon Health Authority has denied the request to fast-track the transaction.

KBND News has previously reported The Center supports the transaction, due to what it considers a serious financial hardship and an inability to adequately recruit and retain qualified staff. Employees of The Center are expected to shift to the St. Charles Health System payroll. 

Following the OHA's decision, St. Charles President and CEO Dr. Steve Gordon provided the following statement to KBND:

"This news is disappointing and concerning given the gravity of the situation, as we attempted to convey in our application. We will continue to work constructively with OHA to follow their established processes for review. At the same time, I believe this action raises serious questions regarding the HCMO Program itself and whether some sort of legislative reevaluation is merited."