Federal Jury Sides With Sutter on Antitrust, Pricing Claims

Northern California behemoth Sutter Health defeated an antitrust class action on Friday with jurors siding with the provider over claims it used its market muscle to force insurers to pay more for services.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California jury deliberated Thursday and Friday and rejected claims by four patients and two companies that buy insurance for employees claiming Sutter tied purchasers into all-or-nothing plans and violated the state’s unfair business practices act. The plaintiffs contended Sutter’s practices also violated the federal Sherman antitrust act and California’s antitrust statute.

Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, ...