Loyola University Health System, parent of Loyola University Medical Center in west suburban Maywood, is evaluating whether to merge with another health care system, according to sources close to the west suburban teaching hospital.

Reached this afternoon, medical center executives issued a statement saying details of their discussions are confidential. The Catholic hospital, located in west suburban Maywood, is one of five large academic medical centers in the Chicago area.

“In light of the changing health care environment and the passage of health care reform, it is logical for health care providers to consider new approaches to meet the challenges of a reformed system,” Loyola University Health System said in a statement to the Tribune.

To be sure, hospitals across the country are talking about partnerships. Some are going on the sale block, seeking investors or mergers as the market demands economies of scale and large amounts of capital to be competitive with the latest developments in technology and demands by insurance companies and consumers that they be equipped with new computer systems and electronic medical records.

Though hospitals are expected to reap an influx of more than 30 million uninsured patients who will gain access to subsidies to pay for their medical care under the health overhaul law, money for that coverage does not kick in until 2014.

In the meantime, hospitals have been hurt by the stagnant economy and high unemployment which has caused more Americans to struggle to pay their medical bills. Thus, admissions at hospitals have dipped for elective surgeries while hospitals are seeing rising numbers of so-called charity care patients who have no money to pay their bills.

“Loyola University Health System routinely talks with health systems and others across the country about possible relationships and partnerships,” Loyola’s statement to the Tribune said. “We are always interested in exploring opportunities to strengthen our mission and ministry.”

Loyola University Medical Center sits on a 61 acre campus in Maywood and has dozens of affiliated clinic sites and doctor practices throughout the suburbs, particularly west and southwest of Chicago. The health system employs more than 6,800 people and trains more than 450 residents.

bjapsen@tribune.com