PESP in the News – March 2025

PESP’s work and research into the private equity industry generates significant media coverage in numerous outlets. Scroll down to see where our expertise was featured in March 2025.

Featured coverage

Walgreens to be acquired by private-equity firm for $10B
Chicago Tribune
March 6, 2025

As one of the largest pharmacy chains in the country prepares to go private with Sycamore Partners, questions are raised about how the move will impact consumers.

“We’ve seen with private equity-owned health care companies —- hospitals, clinics, other service companies —- we see in order to get the profits the private-equity firm has a goal of, they usually embark on heavy cost cutting,” said Matthew Parr, a spokesperson for the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, based in Chicago. “Sometimes that means cutting services.”

Wealthy Investors Keep Bankrupting American Hospitals
Business Insider
March 17, 2025

Bankruptcies of major hospital systems like Steward Health Care linked to private equity firms have left thousands of workers without jobs as well as leaving patients without access to healthcare.

Without additional oversight, patient advocates warn, the looting of America’s hospitals will continue unabated. “It speaks to the failures of our regulatory system,” says Mary Bugbee, who oversees healthcare research at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “The system is not designed to ensure the hospitals are going to have the most reputable buyers — or even buyers who will keep hospitals open. It’s possible the SEC is stepping in to protect investors and uphold the rules for public markets. But who is going to hold these entities accountable to patients? I don’t see that happening right now.”

Private equity firms buying homes for intellectually disabled
The Washington Post
March 18, 2025

The PESP healthcare team’s new report on private equity infiltration into services for the intellectually disabled was covered in a piece in The Washington Post.

“Private equity firms are fundamentally altering these services in ways that put some of the most vulnerable members of our communities at risk,” said Eileen O’Grady, the lead author of the report. “The private equity model prioritizes short-term financial gains, often at the expense of staffing levels, service quality and even basic client safety.”

All coverage

What’s Private Equity’s Impact on Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services?
MedCity News
March 30, 2025

The Maine Millennial: Don’t mess with our mobiles
Portland Press Herald
March 30, 2025

Lorne Gunter: Carney has a tendency to take credit where it’s not due
Edmonton Journal
March 29, 2025

Union rep & expert: Insight hospital ‘red flags’ point to deeper
WFMJ
March 28, 2025

New report reveals growing threat of private equity in US food production
WJBF News Channel 6
March 27, 2025

Maine mobile home owners are pushing back against private investors
Portland Press Herald
March 23, 2025

Maine bill could help residents purchase their mobile home parks
The Maine Monitor
March 22, 2025

Hundreds support pausing Oregon’s investment in private fossil fuel holdings but Treasury opposed
Oregon Capital Chronicle
March 20, 2025

Exclusive | Medalogix, Forcura Merge to Form a $1 Billion Healthcare Software Business
Wall Street Journal
March 19, 2025

Private equity firms are increasingly buying disability care centers
Healthcare Dive
March 19, 2025

Private Equity Vultures Descend on Care Facilities for the Disabled
The American Prospect
March 18, 2025

Private equity is gobbling up care facilities for intellectually disabled
STAT News
March 18, 2025

How Private Equity Profits from Climate Disasters
Oddly Specific
March 18, 2025

Walgreens’ Move to Go Private: 4 Key Takeaways
American Hospital Association
March 18, 2025

States try to limit private equity in health care
Axios
March 17, 2025

The Triple Threat Facing Nursing Homes—And How to Overcome It
Non Profit News
March 17, 2025

House advances hospital oversight expansion bill with whistleblower protections
The Santa Fe New Mexican
March 17, 2025

Legislators target hedge funds in housing market
RESPA News
March 17, 2025

New York Seeks to Curb Private Equity’s Homebuying Power
Commercial Observer
March 14, 2025

Walgreens PE Buyout Heavily Reliant on Debt, Raising Concerns
HIT Consultant
March 14, 2025

TTA’s defrosting March: digging into the Walgreens-Sycamore LBO, Hinge Health’s IPO, another Wojcicki lowball bid for 23andMe, opioid telehealth, Elizabeth Holmes tries *again* on appeal, more!
Telehealth and Telecare Aware
March 13, 2025

Bill to boost oversight of hospital mergers and acquisitions dies in committee
New Mexico Political Report
March 13, 2025

Private equity stands to profit from privatization of education as Trump administration pushes to close DOE
CBS 42
March 13, 2025

Last-minute deal saves Prospect-owned hospitals in PA, but fate of 3 CT hospitals remains uncertain
Connecticut Public
March 12, 2025

Walgreens to Be Acquired by Sycamore Partners: Where Did the Retail Giant Go Wrong?
Dealbreaker
March 12, 2025

Nurses association says latest move by Steward shows corporate greed
WFMJ.com
March 12, 2025

Manufactured Housing Nonprofit CEO Talks Co-op Models
Law360
March 12, 2025

Private Equity Acquisition of Walgreens Raises Concerns
HIT Consultant
March 11, 2025

Enterprise’s Hidden Role in Mobile Home Park Purchases
Shelterforce
March 11, 2025

Private equity wants a larger piece of workplace retirement plan assets
CNBC
March 11, 2025

Private equity capitalizes on vulnerable health care system
WFMZ
March 11, 2025

Walgreens $10B private equity buyout financed by 83% debt
Health Exec
March 11, 2025

BREAKING: Sycamore to Fund $24B Walgreens Buyout with 80%+ Debt
Portco News
March 11, 2025

Will Your Community Be Left Without Care? Senators Sound Alarm on Threatened PA Hospitals
MyChesCo
March 11, 2025

Walgreens to Be Acquired by Sycamore Partners: Where Did the Retail Giant Go Wrong?
MedCity News
March 10, 2025

Private Equity Acquisition of Walgreens Raises Concerns
HIT Consultant
March 10, 2025

Sycamore Partners to buy Walgreens in $24B blockbuster deal
McKnights Long-Term Care News
March 9, 2025

Boots staff braced for job cuts after owner sells up to US buyout barons
This is Money
March 9, 2025

Government Assistance for Affordable Housing Is Enriching Private Equity Firms
Truthout
March 7, 2025

Why Private Equity Healthcare Dealmaking Is Expected to Rise in 2025
HealthLeaders Media
March 7, 2025

What’s next for Walgreens under private equity owners?
Crain’s Chicago Business
March 7, 2025

State bill would ban new private equity, REIT investment in nursing homes
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News
March 6, 2025

Why Are So Many Stores Closing in 2025?
Family Handyman
March 6, 2025

Will Rice exposes the public damage brought about by unregulated private equity firms
KSQD.org
March 6, 2025

The Looting Of America’s Affordable Housing Fund
The Lever
March 5, 2025

Despite Muted M&A To Start Year, Private Equity Still Pursuing At-Home Care
Home Health Care News
March 4, 2025

Retail Set to Close 15,000 Stores in 2025 as Private Equity Pulls Back
Forbes
March 2, 2025

Private Equity Firms Tighten Stranglehold on US, Angling for Boons Under Trump
Truthout
March 1, 2025