CHI Franciscan settles antitrust case: 5 things to know

An antitrust lawsuit filed by the Washington state attorney general against CHI Franciscan will not go to trial, according to the Kitsap Sun.

Five things to know:

1. The lawsuit, filed in 2017, alleged Tacoma, Wash.-based CHI Franciscan's affiliation with two physician groups in Kitsap County raised healthcare prices and decreased competition.

2. "Both transactions also enabled CHI Franciscan to capture more patient referrals and shift services to its wholly owned hospital, Harrison Medical Center, the only civilian acute care hospital in Kitsap County," states an August 2017 press release from the Washington state attorney general's office. "The transactions have hobbled CHI Franciscan's competitors while allowing it to reap the benefit of more expensive, hospital-based rates."

3. A trial in the case was slated to begin March 19 but was called off March 15 after the parties notified the court that the matter was resolved.

4. Specifics about the settlement have not been released. The parties have until April 29 to file documents outlining the settlement and requesting the case be dismissed, according to the Kitsap Sun.

5. A CHI Franciscan spokesperson told the Kitsap Sun that the settlement will ensure the health system's affiliations with the two physician groups remain in place.

"This is good for patients and doctors on the peninsula, keeps our highly skilled doctors in our community, and ensures everyone has access to great care close to home," the spokesperson said.

Access the full Kitsap Sun article here.

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