Not every N.J. hospital sees need to merge into bigger system - but independents are dwindling

Every year, New Jersey’s health care system moves one merger closer to making independent hospitals a relic of the past. As hospitals struggle to face industry headwinds alone, enough consolidation has occurred to move the number of remaining independent hospitals into nearly single-digit territory. But even if their numbers are shrinking, those that have resisted what many others have done — giving up their independent status — are adamant that they’re going to continue to go it alone.