Catholic Health East is a multi-institutional Catholic health system, co-sponsored by 8 religious congregations and Hope Ministries, a public juridic person. The System provides the means to ensure the continuation of the Catholic identity and operational strength of the sponsors' health ministries, which are located in 11 eastern states from Maine to Florida. It includes 35 acute care hospitals, 4 long-term acute care hospitals, 26 long-term care facilities, 12 assisted-living facilities, 4 continuing care retirement communities, 7 behavioral health and rehabilitation facilities, 31 home health/hospice agencies, and numerous ambulatory and community-based health services.