Despite the regulatory crackdown on hospital consolidation, Advocate Aurora and Atrium Health are betting that federal antitrust watchdogs will allow their proposed megamerger to create a $27.1 billion nonprofit health system with operations in six states, Health Leaders reports.
The systems believe that their consolidation—which would create a footprint across Illinois, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama—would not be contiguous, and will nullify anticompetitive concerns.
“We respect the role of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect the best interests of consumers, and as such, expect that they will want to carefully review our proposed combination,” an Advocate Aurora spokesperson said. “Given the geographic separation of the combined entities, along with the fact that assets will remain within our respective organizations and states, we are hoping for a timely review.” Read more.
