CHILD'S HOSPITAL SAYS IT'S LOOKING TO AFFILIATE BOARD PRESIDENT ASSERTS THAT NO BUYOUT OR MERGER IS PLANNED.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: RICK KARLIN Staff writer

ALBANY Saying the time is right for such an arrangement, a top official from Child's Hospital confirmed that the 20-bed hospital is looking to formally affiliate with one of three entities: Albany Medical Center Hospital, St. Peter's Hospital or the Capital District Physicians' Health Plan.

All three have offered proposals for affiliation during the last several months, and those offers may come under consideration during Child's next board-of-directors meeting, scheduled for March 7.

``We're looking for an affiliation. It's not a buyout or a merger,'' said Robert L. Leslie, president of Child's board. ``It's …