Judge dismisses IL conspiracy suit against MD groups

An Illinois judge has booted an antitrust suit brought against two Chicago-area physician groups, which claimed that they'd conspired to get rid of Medicaid patients in an effort to force the State to pay higher rates. State Attorney General Lisa Madigan had claimed that the Carle Clinic Association and the Christie Clinic had worked together to begin shutting Medicaid patients out of their practice in January 2003. However, the judge ruled that Madigan hadn't proved that the groups had actually colluded, or that their activity had harmed competition in their market. Still, Madigan has permission to amend and refile the case, and her office plans to do so.

To learn more about the case:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece (reg. req.)

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