Byline: MIKE COLIAS

Another national Catholic health chain is looking to unload a money-losing Chicago-area hospital.

Since last year, St. Louis-based Ascension Health has been seeking a buyer for St. Anthony Hospital on the West Side, a person familiar with the matter says. St. Anthony lost a total of $53.9 million on operations in fiscal 2006 and 2007, though the deficit shrank by more than half in 2007 as revenue increased 19% to $218 million.

An investment bank Ascension hired to shop St. Anthony last year hasn't found a merger partner, this person says. With the financial picture improving, Ascension now hopes to position the 111-year-old hospital to operate ...