The U.S. Federal Trade Commission won a preliminary injunction to stop the proposed merger of OSF Healthcare System in Peoria, Ill., and Rockford (Ill.) Health System, according to a Bloomberg report.
After a three-day hearing, which began Feb. 1, U.S. District Judge Frederick Kapala has ordered the two hospitals not to complete their merger, pending an administrative trial by the FTC in Washington, D.C. That trial is set for April 17.
According to the report, Judge Kapala said the FTC presented a "compelling" case that the proposed merger would violate antitrust laws and hurt competition for hospital services in the Rockford market.
Hearing on FTC's Challenge of Rockford Health, OSF Merger Begins
OSF Healthcare, Rockford Health Plan to Appeal FTC's Challenge Against Acquisition
After a three-day hearing, which began Feb. 1, U.S. District Judge Frederick Kapala has ordered the two hospitals not to complete their merger, pending an administrative trial by the FTC in Washington, D.C. That trial is set for April 17.
According to the report, Judge Kapala said the FTC presented a "compelling" case that the proposed merger would violate antitrust laws and hurt competition for hospital services in the Rockford market.
More Articles on OSF Healthcare, Rockford Health Merger:
FTC Challenge of OSF, Rockford Health Acquisition Heads to D.C.Hearing on FTC's Challenge of Rockford Health, OSF Merger Begins
OSF Healthcare, Rockford Health Plan to Appeal FTC's Challenge Against Acquisition