http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-transactions-and-valuation/third-time-s-not-a-charm-why-the-lahey-beth-israel-merger-has-failed-three-times.html

Why have 2 Boston hospitals failed to merge — 3 times?

Burlington, Mass.-based Lahey Health and Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess have attempted to join forces numerous times, but to no avail.

They tried to merge in 2011. They took another stab at it when they teamed up with Newton, Mass.-based Atrius Health in 2012. Merger talks were once again sparked earlier this year, only to fall through in September.

Despite the effort, the health systems can’t seem to pull it together and unite. But their attempts at merging show more than a lack of a solid relationship — they provide a deeper look at the background of healthcare in Massachusetts and the power of market share.