Sutter Health has lost a key court ruling, opening the door to a trial on claims that the Sacramento-based health system uses its dominance in Northern California to overcharge patients, employers and insurers.
A state appeals court in San Francisco ruled Oct. 27 that Sutter can’t require a union benefits trust to arbitrate its claim that the health system engaged in anti-competitive behavior that cranked up costs for thousands of workers.
United Food and Commercial Workers & Employers Benefit Trust sued Sutter in April 2014, alleging the health system requires health plans, self-funded employers and others to include all Sutter hospitals in its networks, among other provisions. The lawsuit alleges Sutter enforces this policy through contracts that charge higher rates for out-of-network services.
The ruling Tuesday does not address merits of the lawsuit claims — only efforts by Sutter to arbitrate the case.
Full content: Sacramento Business Journal
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Hess Shareholders Approve $53 Billion Merger with Chevron
May 28, 2024 by
CPI
EU Regulators Engage with Telegram as App Nears Critical Usage Threshold
May 28, 2024 by
CPI
EEX Offers Remedies to Address EU Antitrust Concerns Over Nasdaq Deal
May 28, 2024 by
CPI
BRG Expands European Competition Practice with New Expert Team in Brussels
May 28, 2024 by
CPI
UK Law Empowers Regulators to Fine Big Tech Without Court Approval
May 28, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Merger Guidelines Retrospective
May 21, 2024 by
CPI
Mergers of Complements
May 21, 2024 by
CPI
Personality Traits, Private Equity, and Merger Analysis
May 21, 2024 by
CPI
The 2023 Merger Guidelines: Lessons in the Importance of Incipiency, Modern Economics, and Monopsony
May 21, 2024 by
CPI
The 2023 Merger Guidelines: Sharpening Merger Analysis
May 21, 2024 by
CPI