St. Luke’s Lawsuit Result Could have National Ramifications

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal antitrust lawsuit involving two of Idaho's biggest health care providers could have national ramifications for hospital acquisitions of physicians' practices.

Antitrust lawyer Jonathan Lewis at Baker Hostetler in Washington, D.C., tells the Idaho Statesman that the outcome of the Idaho case could cause the Federal Trade Commission to start examining hospital-physician deals that have already been completed.

In the Idaho case, St. Luke's Health System says its acquisition last year of Saltzer Medical Group will drive down health care costs and improve health care. Saint Alphonsus Health System, the Federal Trade Commission and the Idaho attorney general sued St. Luke's a year ago. They contend St. Luke's buyout of Saltzer was an unfair market grab. Testimony ended last week, with closing arguments set for Nov. 7.