Dive Brief:
- The PwC report states that hospital M&A activity dropped by 40% in Q1 of this year compared to Q1 in 2013.
- However, the total value of the deals rose by more than 20% to $388 million.
- There is likely to be "robust M&A activity for the rest of the year," Brett Hickman, partner and PwC’s US health care deals leader, said in a statement.
Dive Insight:
Changes in the industry caused by the Affordable Care Act are helping to drive the deals, the report states. "Combined with positive signs we’re seeing in the other health services sectors, we’re optimistic that there will be heightened deal activity in 2014," Hickman said.