A judge has ordered Pittsburgh-based West Penn Allegheny Health System and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to mediate issues stemming from a 2009 antitrust lawsuit filed by West Penn against UPMC, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.
West Penn originally alleged that Highmark and UPMC were conspiring to block competition in the local market. Now, since Highmark’s acquisition of West Penn is pending, West Penn has dropped the payor from the suit and wants a judge’s permission to target UPMC alone.
U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab has said the two hospital systems can spend December and possibly January in talks to resolve the changing lawsuit. He has not allowed broad rights of discovery, but said the two systems could spend February and March seeking evidence from one another on a narrow point, according to the report.
Related Articles on UPMC, West Penn Allegheny and Highmark:
UPMC Wants West Penn-Highmark Agreement Made Public
West Penn Drops Highmark from Lawsuit; Details of Acquisition Revealed
Highmark’s Down Payment Saved Pittsburgh’s West Penn Allegheny From Closure
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