Private equity firm looks to buy LifePoint Health

For-profit hospital system LifePoint Health is nearing a deal to sell itself to private equity firm Apollo Global Management for $6 billion, including debt, Reuters reports. Apollo acquired a separate hospital chain — RegionalCare Hospital Partners, which is now known as RCCH HealthCare Partners — in 2015.

Why it matters: Private equity is craving health care deals right now, and this buyout would further consolidate the hospital industry, which is attempting to turn around a pattern of stagnant admissions.