Rockledge, Fla.-based Health First has settled a seven-year-old antitrust lawsuit with Space Coast Health Foundation, according to a Florida Today report.
Space Coast Health Foundation is a charity that resulted from the sale of non-profit Wuesthoff Health Systems. Wuesthoff sued Health First in 2005, claiming the four-hospital system used preferential pricing and bundled services to damage Wuesthoff's ability to compete in the local market. Health First denied the allegations.
Wuesthoff was sold in 2010 to for-profit Health Management Associates, based in Naples, Fla. Proceeds of the sale went to Space Coast Health Foundation. While HMA declined to proceed with the lawsuit, Space Coast did press the antitrust claims against Health First.
Financial details of the settlement were not disclosed. Jim Shaw, chairman of Health First's board of trustees, said both organizations "have agreed to work together, focusing our resources and efforts toward aggressively tackling the healthcare needs of the underinsured," according to the report.
A news release said that instead of spending on legal fees, the parties have "entered into a confidential agreement that will create a new health program for Brevard County. The program is in development and will enhance benefits for the underinsured in Brevard County," according to the report.
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Space Coast Health Foundation is a charity that resulted from the sale of non-profit Wuesthoff Health Systems. Wuesthoff sued Health First in 2005, claiming the four-hospital system used preferential pricing and bundled services to damage Wuesthoff's ability to compete in the local market. Health First denied the allegations.
Wuesthoff was sold in 2010 to for-profit Health Management Associates, based in Naples, Fla. Proceeds of the sale went to Space Coast Health Foundation. While HMA declined to proceed with the lawsuit, Space Coast did press the antitrust claims against Health First.
Financial details of the settlement were not disclosed. Jim Shaw, chairman of Health First's board of trustees, said both organizations "have agreed to work together, focusing our resources and efforts toward aggressively tackling the healthcare needs of the underinsured," according to the report.
A news release said that instead of spending on legal fees, the parties have "entered into a confidential agreement that will create a new health program for Brevard County. The program is in development and will enhance benefits for the underinsured in Brevard County," according to the report.
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