FTC critical of IL hospital merger, won't force sale

The Federal Trade Commission has ruled the 2000 purchase of Highland Park (IL) Hospital by Evanston Northwestern Healthcare was "anti-competitive" and raised healthcare costs in Chicago's northern suburbs, but it rejected a recommendation Evanston Northwestern sell Highland Park Hospital.

Instead, the health system will have to set up independent negotiation teams for each of its three hospitals, including Evanston Hospital and Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview. The move is intended to revive competition in managed care contracts.

For more details:
- Check out this Chicago Sun-Times story. Article