U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab has been removed from a case involving Pittsburgh-based West Penn Allegheny Health System and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center after West Penn attorneys accused the federal judge of exhibiting bias, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.
In its petition filed a few weeks ago, West Penn claimed Judge Schwab exhibited "a worrisome practice of misstating and mischaracterizing" the health system's positions.
UPMC opposed West Penn's request to have the judge replaced, calling it "unprecedented and unwarranted," according to the report.
Their antitrust case began in 2009, when there were originally two defendants: UPMC and Pittsburgh-based insurer Highmark. West Penn accused both defendants of working together to lessen competition. West Penn petitioned to have Highmark removed when Highmark signed an affiliation agreement to acquire West Penn, which is still under regulatory review.
A new judge will take over the case at an unspecified time, according to the report.
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Judge Suspends Antitrust Case Between West Penn, UPMC
In its petition filed a few weeks ago, West Penn claimed Judge Schwab exhibited "a worrisome practice of misstating and mischaracterizing" the health system's positions.
UPMC opposed West Penn's request to have the judge replaced, calling it "unprecedented and unwarranted," according to the report.
Their antitrust case began in 2009, when there were originally two defendants: UPMC and Pittsburgh-based insurer Highmark. West Penn accused both defendants of working together to lessen competition. West Penn petitioned to have Highmark removed when Highmark signed an affiliation agreement to acquire West Penn, which is still under regulatory review.
A new judge will take over the case at an unspecified time, according to the report.
More Articles on UPMC and West Penn Allegheny Health System:
West Penn Allegheny Files Petition to Replace Judge on Antitrust SuitFeds Review Highmark-West Penn Deal for Antitrust Concerns
Judge Suspends Antitrust Case Between West Penn, UPMC