Healthscope (ASX:HSP) interest heats up

Company News

The Australian Financial Review reports that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has approached private hospital operator Healthe Group to join the consortium bid for Healthscope (ASX:HSP).

Earlier reports said Healthscope had rebuked the consortium for attempting to stop an auction of the hospitals operator by blocking rivals' from financing offers.

Healthscope owns 43 hospitals, representing 15% of Australia's private hospital market, and is the country's third-largest pathology business.

Healthe Group, which operates 12 Australian hospitals, is run by managing director Ben Thynne who according to the Fin Review could be part of a more strategic move to have him run Healthscope and Healthe if the consortium bid is successful in its $5.80 a share bid over rival TPG, The Carlyle Group and Blackstone.

Healthscope is expected to push for a higher price.Healthscope’s net profit in the year to June 30 2009 was $72 million.

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