DOJ files antitrust civil complaint accusing OhioHealth of blocking patients' access to affordable healthcare
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- The Justice Department and Ohio Attorney General have filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against OhioHealth Corporation, accusing it of anticompetitive practices that lead to higher healthcare costs for patients.
- The complaint alleges OhioHealth has used contractual restrictions since 2003 to prevent insurers from offering lower-cost plans, limiting patient choice and driving up premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
- OhioHealth, which controls about 40% of the Columbus hospital market, reportedly negotiates prices with insurers that are approximately 50% higher than its competitors.
- This case marks the Justice Department's first civil antitrust enforcement in healthcare in about a year and is part of broader ongoing investigations into dominant healthcare systems nationwide.
- Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed As
