ReadiCare Inc., an Irvine-based operator of 24...

ReadiCare Inc., an Irvine-based operator of 24 medical clinics in California and Nevada, said Friday that it had terminated merger discussions with U.S. Medical Enterprises of Santa Moncia, which runs eight clinics.

ReadiCare’s announcement comes after top officials of U.S. Medical Enterprises spurned ReadiCare’s offer to acquire U.S. Medical Enterprises through a $12.3 million stock swap. U.S Medical Enterprises Chairman Thomas C. Borut called the offer “ridiculous.”

Dennis G. Danko, ReadiCare’s president, said in a prepared statement, “Since we have been advised by the management of U.S. Medical Enterprises that they would not recommend to their shareholders our preliminary acquisition offer on the basis proposed by us, we believe it would not be productive at this time to continue our discussions.”