BARRE — Two New York hospitals have moved to become part of a four-hospital cross-lake affiliation with Fletcher Allen Partners.

Under a letter of intent, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center (CVPH) in Plattsburgh, NY and Elizabethtown Community Hospital (ECH) have agreed in principle to become part of the affiliation that currently encompasses Fletcher Allen Health Care in
Burlington and Central Vermont Medical Center.

Officials at Fletcher Allen Partners said the purpose of the proposed affiliation is to establish a coordinated, highly integrated health care system that will improve quality, increase access, and lower costs of health care in the communities served by the four hospitals in Vermont and upstate New York.

The letter of intent outlines the essential terms of the proposed affiliation and is subject to the completion of definitive legal agreements, due diligence reviews by all parties, and regulatory approvals by the New York Department of Health and Federal Trade Commission. The hospitals hope that this work can be completed, and the proposed affiliation can become effective, later this year.

Upon implementation of the proposed affiliation, Fletcher Allen Partners would be governed by a board of trustees that would include representatives appointed by CPI, Fletcher Allen and CVMC. Dr. John Brumsted, who currently serves as CEO of Fletcher Allen Partners, would continue in that role; Judy Tartaglia would serve as executive vice president, Vermont Community Hospital Division, and Stephens Mundy would serve as executive vice president, Northern New York.