Health First to Face Antitrust Suit Over Critical Care Services

Health First Inc. must face antitrust litigation over its alleged scheme to dominate critical acute care services in Brevard County, Fla., by exploiting its power in adjacent markets, boycotting rivals, and bullying doctors into exclusive referral arrangements, a federal judge in Orlando ruled.

Judge Roy B. Dalton Jr. let most of the proposed class action move forward late Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, advancing parts of the case that challenge the alleged referral agreements, group boycott, and monopolization effort.

“Assuming the allegations are true, plaintiffs have painted a compelling picture of defendant’s (successful) ...