Monroe Hospital in Bloomington, Ind., is suing Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health in federal court, claiming IU Health has an unfair advantage in the Bloomington market as its ambulances are the sole responders to 911 calls in Monroe County, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Monroe Hospital claims the ambulance drivers take about 95 percent of patients to IU Health Bloomington Hospital, even when Monroe Hospital is closer or patients request to be transported there. Monroe Hospital alleges IU Health's unfair advantage violates state and federal antitrust laws, according to the report.
IU Health and Monroe Hospital have been battling in court over the ambulance service issue for nearly two years, but the newest complaint was filed Oct. 9 after the case was reassigned to another judge last year.
IU Health does not deny allegations the ambulance drivers transport the majority of patients to IU Health Bloomington. However, the system claims its conduct is legal.
"IU Health believes the allegations of the amended complaint continue to have no merit and it will defend the lawsuit accordingly," the system said in a statement to the Indianapolis Business Journal. "IU Health continues to work with all healthcare providers in south central Indiana to ensure the best emergency care is received."
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