DOJ And Texas AG File Section 2 Case Against Local Hospital System

On Feb. 25, 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Texas Attorney General filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against United Regional Health Care System of Wichita Falls, Texas, alleging that the hospital had maintained its monopoly for hospital services by entering into exclusionary contracts with commercial health insurers that barred the insurers from contracting with United Regional's competitors. At the same time, the government filed a proposed settlement that, if approved, would resolve the lawsuit by prohibiting United Regional from entering into these contracts. This is the first time since 1999 that DOJ has brought a Sherman Act Section 2 case challenging a monopolist with engaging in traditional anticompetitive unilateral conduct.