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Caritas Christi Hospital Sale To Be Reviewed


BOSTON (AP) - A single justice of the state's highest court is scheduled to review the proposed sale of six Boston-area hospitals to a private equity firm that intends to turn the chain into a for-profit venture.

Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Francis Spina on Thursday must determine whether the sale of Caritas Christi Health Care to Cerberus Capital Management is in the public interest. Attorney General Martha Coakley has approved the $895 million deal.

Supporters of the deal say it will ensure the financial viability of the chain, once run by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Caritas has hospitals in Boston, Norwood, Brockton, Methuen and Fall River and employs about 12,000.

Opponents are worried the hospitals will lose their Catholic identity.

It's unclear when a decision will be issued.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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