In another example of financially troubled independent small hospitals reaching out for help to systems, Morehouse General Hospital, in Bastrop, La.,  is negotiating with Plano, Texas-based Community Hospital Corp. for some  sort of partnership in which  Community Hospital would manage Morehouse, which a fall in patient volume has hit hard.

The hospital  had previously been talking with IASIS Healthcare, a hospital chain based in Franklin, Tenn.

At a recent Louisiana Fiscal Review Committee meeting, Morehouse General Hospital CEO and CFO Jim Albritton said the hospital wants to sign an agreement with CHC with an effective date of May 26.