U of L Offers To Extend 30 Day 'Demand Letter' If Norton Healthcare Negotiates Contract

Officials with the University of Louisville say they're willing to extend the 30 day deadline for Norton Healthcare to respond to a list of demands the university is requesting following the announcement of a partnership between Norton and UK Healthcare.

U of L and Norton disagree over using Kosair Children's Hospital—which is owned by Norton but sits on state-owned land that must be used to benefit U of L and citizens of the Commonwealth—in a  partnership with UK Healthcare, which is part of the University of Kentucky.U of L's David Dunn, executive vice president for health affairs, says Norton has requested the school withdraw its demand letter that was sent to Norton officials earlier this week. In response, Dunn sent the following correspondence, which says U of L is willing to extend the 30 day period as long as Norton is willing to resolve the differences and to negotiate a new contract. I’ve always said that I am willing to talk to you without condition.  I remain committed to resolving this matter in a way that is beneficial to both of our organizations, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the children we serve.  To that end, we have no problems granting you an extension on the 30 day cure period so long as both of our organizations are working diligently to resolve our differences and to finalize the new master affiliation agreement contemplated in our September 2012 term sheet.  I had hoped to discuss these issues with you at the meeting we originally had scheduled for August 14th, but which you had to postpone.  If you are sincere about resolving this matter in a mutually beneficial fashion, then I suggest we schedule a meeting for the two of us to establish a time line upon which we can bring closure to this matter.