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BILLINGS - Billings' two hospitals are ending a 21-year partnership in two cancer treatment centers, the hospitals announced Monday.

Billings Clinic is withdrawing from its relationship with St. Vincent Healthcare in operating the Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center in Billings and the Big Horn Basin Radiation Oncology Center in Cody, Wyo.

St. Vincent will take over as sole owner of the radiation treatment centers on Jan. 1. No employees are expected to lose their jobs.

Patients of Billings Clinic doctors who receive treatment at the centers will continue to do so until the scheduled August opening of the Clinic's new $27 million cancer treatment center, which will offer radiation treatment. Billings Clinic is also building an inpatient oncology center on its campus.

When Billings Clinic announced its planned cancer treatment center in 2006, St. Vincent Healthcare officials said the Northern Rockies agreement prevented either hospital from launching its own radiation center.

"The two organizations have agreed not to discuss details of the agreement including how the assets of NRROC are being allocated," the hospitals said in a news release.

Billings clinic officials said the new cancer center will improve care for patients by bringing all cancer services, with the exception of the inpatient unit, until one roof.

Critics have said it will result in a duplication of services.

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