US: DOJ settles antitrust suit against hospital weeks before trail

The federal government on Friday, February 9, struck a deal to end nearly three years’ worth of litigation accusing Henry Ford Allegiance Health of agreeing with three other Michigan hospitals to not advertise in each other’s territories, roughly a month before a trial was set to start.

“As a result of Allegiance’s per se illegal agreement to restrict marketing of competing services in Hillsdale County, Michigan consumers were deprived of valuable services and healthcare information,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.  “By prohibiting further anticompetitive conduct and educating Allegiance executives on antitrust law, this settlement will ensure that consumers receive the fruits of robust competition.”

The proposed settlement, joined by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, was filed Friday  in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.  If approved by the court, the settlement will end Allegiance’s unlawful conduct and provide residents of South Central Michigan the full benefits of competition.

Full Content: Justice Gov.

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