The Association of Independent Doctors, located in Winter Park, Fla., is siding with the FTC in its fight to prevent several large-scale hospitals from merging.
The AID filed two amicus briefs on behalf of the FTC to block mergers in Pennsylvania and Illinois. According to a statement released by the organization, the consolidations would harm communities by creating monopolies, driving up healthcare costs for residents in the area.
In both states, district court judges approved the mergers. The FTC has appealed both decisions.
The Pennsylvania case involves Penn State Milton S. Hershey (Pa.) MedicalCenter and Harrisburg, Pa.-based PinnacleHealth System. Oral arguments were presented to the U.S. Appeals Court on July 26.
In Illinois, lawyers representing Downer's Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care and Evanston, Ill.-based Northshore University HealthSystems presented oral arguments on Aug. 19.