Judge rules for FTC in antitrust case

A U.S. district court judge ruled in favor of the Federal Trade Commission in an antitrust case that may shape the future of hospital acquisitions of physician groups.

Judge B. Lynn Winmill’s decision, released Friday in Boise, ordered St. Luke’s Health System of Boise to undo its acquisition of the Saltzer Medical Group of Nampa, Idaho, the state’s oldest and largest independent, multispecialty physician group.

In a statement, St. Luke’s said it is committed to maintaining a business relationship with Saltzer and anticipates appealing the judge’s decision.

Read our story about the case here. Check Healthcare Finance News next week for a more detailed follow-up story.