A long-running legal battle between San Diego-based Scripps Health and Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, Calif., has come to an end.
Tri-City is dropping its appeal of a decision made earlier this year by California's Superior Court, which dismissed Tri-City's 2009 lawsuit against Scripps, according to a media release from Scripps.
Tri-City sued Scripps when 65 physicians from the former Sharp Mission Park medical group joined Scripps, consequently affecting referral patterns for Tri-City. The plaintiff argued the physicians were putting patients at risk by making them travel to Scripps facilities.
A judge dismissed the suit in March, ruling the facts did not support Tri-City's claims. When the court decision was announced, Tri-City CEO Larry Anderson said the organization would examine its options to appeal.
Mr. Anderson was placed on administrative leave from the system in early September.
Tri-City's attorney commented in a letter to Scripps that Tri-City hopes the dismissal will bring a "new chapter of cooperation between our hospitals for the mutual benefit of our patients," according to a media release from Scripps.
Scripps President and CEO Chris Van Gorder said he applauds Tri-City for its decision. "Now, both of our organizations can place our full focus and resources on meeting the healthcare needs of the community," he said in the release.
UPDATE: Tri-City released the following statement about ending the lawsuit via email: "Considering the changes that have occurred over the past four years since a lawsuit was filed against Scripps Health, especially regarding the inception and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, senior leadership at Tri-City Medical Center and the Tri-City Healthcare District Board felt the residents of its district would be better served by focusing additional resources towards the continued improvement in Quality and Outcomes measures and ending its lawsuit."
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