St. Luke's antitrust lawsuit opens in court  Credit: Zella
Strickland  A sketch of Monday's proceedings, courtesy Zella
Strickland / courtroom artist   by Jamie Grey  Bio | Email |
Follow: @KTVBJamieGrey   Posted on September 23, 2013 at 5:27 PM
Updated Tuesday, Sep 24 at 5:52 AM  BOISE -- An antitrust
lawsuit involving the two largest health care providers in the
Treasure Valley is now in court, with a judge to rule on what
could be a significant case for how health care systems are
allowed to grow in medium-sized markets.  Saint Alphonsus Health
System, along with Treasure Valley Hospital and the Federal
Trade Commission and Idaho Attorney General's Office are suing
St. Luke's Health System.  They argue St. Luke's is illegally
creating a monopoly on health care in Nampa by acquiring doctor-
owned Saltzer Medical Group.  What does this deal mean for
patients? FTC says perhaps higher prices  Cost of healthcare,
cost of insurance co pays, innovation in care options, and how
doctors are employed are all at stak