Dive Brief:
- A group of plaintiffs are attempting to revive a class-action lawsuit brought against northern California's Sutter Health, claiming that the 24-hospital health system is violating antitrust laws by forcing health plans to cover all Sutter doctors and steer patients to use facilities in its system.
- The suit alleges that Sutter is forcing up health insurance premiums by using its monopoly power to charge higher rates for care.
- This is the third attempt to proceed with the class action; two complaints have been dismissed previously.
Dive Insight:
Sutter, as you can imagine, vehemently denies that it has engaged in unfair practices, and argues that the charges listed in the third complaint are too vague to support the plaintiffs' claim. The question is whether the plaintiffs are bringing more evidence to the table this time. If so, we might have a real fight on our hands here. Whether or not Sutter is guilty of the charges outlined in the suit, it seems the plaintiffs aren't giving up easily.