The Federal Trade Commission plans to appeal a recent decision by U.S. District Court Judge Louis Sands that tossed the FTC's preliminary injunction against Albany, Ga. hospitals Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and Palmyra Medical Center, according to an Albany Herald report.
The FTC claims Phoebe's planned acquisition of Palmyra would create a monopoly, driving up healthcare costs for the community. However, the judge's decision grants the Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County, which owns Phoebe, immunity from antitrust liability. Richard Feinstein, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, said Phoebe intentionally used the Hospital Authority to avoid antitrust scrutiny, according to the report.
The FTC's appeal will likely go to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, who originally joined the FTC in its opposition of the merger, is not appealing the decision.
Phoebe plans to acquire Palmyra from parent company HCA, based in Nashville, Tenn., for $195 million.
Read the Albany Herald report on Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
Related Articles on Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and Palmyra Medical Center:
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The FTC claims Phoebe's planned acquisition of Palmyra would create a monopoly, driving up healthcare costs for the community. However, the judge's decision grants the Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County, which owns Phoebe, immunity from antitrust liability. Richard Feinstein, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, said Phoebe intentionally used the Hospital Authority to avoid antitrust scrutiny, according to the report.
The FTC's appeal will likely go to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, who originally joined the FTC in its opposition of the merger, is not appealing the decision.
Phoebe plans to acquire Palmyra from parent company HCA, based in Nashville, Tenn., for $195 million.
Read the Albany Herald report on Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
Related Articles on Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and Palmyra Medical Center:
Judge Sides With Phoebe Putney Over FTC, Says Free to Acquire Palmyra
Georgia District Court Hear Arguments Regarding Injunction Filed Against Phoebe Putney, Others
FTC Alleges Phoebe Putney's Proposed Acquisition of Palmyra Park Hospital is Anticompetitive