Highmark has asked a federal judge to force UPMC to sign the settlement agreement drafted to conclude four years of antitrust litigation between the Pittsburgh-based healthcare giants.
The settlement would bring an end to the case filed by Pittsburgh-based West Penn Allegheny Health System, which is now owned by Highmark, against UPMC, accusing the health system of stifling competition. It would also dismiss UPMC's similar lawsuit against Highmark.
Late last month, Highmark moved to include a clause in the settlement that would prevent UPMC from characterizing Highmark as "monopolistic" in litigation brought forth by third parties, including a pending suit in which four plaintiffs are accusing UPMC and Highmark of colluding to inflate prices. Last week, UPMC asked U.S. District Court Judge Joy Flowers Conti to enforce the settlement agreement reached in October without the added provision.
Highmark has asked Judge Conti to force UPMC to sign the new agreement, claiming UPMC "had no intention of fully dropping its misguided antitrust crusade against Highmark," according to a Pittsburgh Business Times report.
A UPMC spokesperson said the health system is ready to sign a settlement, though refuses the current version because Highmark has "reneged on the agreement, attempted to add to terms regarding an entirely new subject matter that was never before the court," according to the report.
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