Biomedical Research Foundation, the current manager of University Health in Shreveport, La., has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport.
The federal complaint alleges Willis-Knighton intends to use its contracts with LSU Shreveport to take commercially insured business from University Health-Shreveport and then take over the hospital.
In its lawsuit, BRF alleges the actions of Willis-Knighton "would give it a virtually complete monopoly position in the market," that would allow it to "substantially increase healthcare costs, reduce healthcare quality, and seriously harm insurers, employers and consumers."
"We allege in our complaint that Willis-Knighton's plan would virtually eliminate competition in healthcare in the Shreveport area," said Steve Skrivanos, chair of UH-Shreveport’s board of directors, in a statement.
Willis-Knighton has fired back against the antirust allegations. The hospital said the claims are "a false portrayal of medical services provided to and for some of the most vulnerable citizens in north Louisiana," according to a KTBS report.
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