FTC Files Lawsuits to Block Hospital Deals in N.J. and Utah
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on June 2 said it had filed lawsuits to block hospital mergers in New Jersey and Utah. Health policy experts tell AIS Health that health insurers and other payers likely will welcome the FTC’s actions as mergers limit competition and lead to higher prices.
The FTC is looking to block HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s acquisition of five hospitals that Steward Health Care owns in Utah. The agency is also aiming to deny RWJBarnabas Health’s purchase of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, a non-profit that operates a hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. The Utah trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 13 and the New Jersey trial is scheduled to start on Nov. 29.