A federal judge has ruled that the 2000 merger of two hospitals in a Chicago suburb was illegal. The decision, handed down by a judge overseeing cases filed by the Federal Trade Commission, invalidates the merger of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare and Highland Park Hospital four years after the transaction was completed. FTC lawyers had argued that the deal violated antitrust law and accused Evanston Northwestern of price gouging after the company raised prices sharply following the merger. The case has been closely watched by healthcare insiders. Some analysts predict the ruling will lead to similar suits in other states.
- see this article from the Chicago Tribune