Embroiled in a pending merger deal, University of Louisville (Ky.) and its president, James Ramsey, face a lawsuit for allegedly failing to turn over merger documents in violation of open records law, reports the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell filed suit Tuesday, claiming the public safety net, University Hospital, denied him documents with details about its merger with Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and St. Joseph Health System, violating the Kentucky Open Records Act.

Although University Hospital released 140 pages of documents, it did not produce many others, such as faculty-administrator emails, memos, and presentations, according to the article.  

O'Connell said the public has a right to know the details of the deal because it is a public institution.

"This transaction involves tens of millions of tax dollars, hundreds of millions of private dollars and hundreds of thousands of people will be affected. In light of these facts, for the life of me, I do not understand why the University of Louisville as an institution owned by the people and others are fighting so hard not to disclose information," O'Connell said in a WAVE 3, an NBC affiliate, article.

In addition to financial concerns, the Kentucky merger deal faces scrutiny about future reproductive rights and end-of-life care once the Catholic Health Initiatives takes over, as well as the care for indigent patients, reports WDRB.

The merger could go into effect as early as Dec. 31, pending approval from the governor.

For more information:
- read the Courier-Journal article
- see the WAVE 3, an NBC affiliate, report
- watch the WLKY report
- here's the WDRB report

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