Several health care companies are interested in buying Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Saint Francis Hospital, which recently filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review reported today. ArchCare, a nonprofit health care organization affiliated with the Archdiocese of New York, and Westchester County Health Care Corp. both sent letters to a bankruptcy court indicating they will submit bids in an effort to purchase the hospital. The 333-bed facility is looking for bidders who can top the more-than $24 million offered by stalking-horse bidder Health Quest Systems Inc., which has promised to keep the 2,000-worker hospital open. An auction has been scheduled for Feb. 13, with a sale hearing to follow on Feb. 18.
