Sutter Health Antitrust Accord Rejected by California Court (1)

A California state judge has refused to preliminarily approve a $575 million antitrust settlement between Sutter Health and California, sending the proposal back to the parties to select a monitor for the settlement in a way that doesn’t violate public policy.

The United Food & Commercial Workers & Employers Benefit Trust, representing self-funded plans in a class action, sued Sutter in 2014, alleging the health-care provider used its market muscle to manipulate prices.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) also sought to stop the practices alleged, and brought a civil antitrust action.

But Judge Anne-Christine Massullo of the Superior Court ...