Boise, ID – Saint Alphonsus is very pleased that Judge B. Lynn Winmill has set an early trial, in July, in our case against St. Luke’s. While Judge Winmill did not grant our request for a preliminary injunction, we hope that this expedited schedule, and the process established by Judge Winmill, will protect our concerns regarding irreparable harm to Saint Alphonsus and the community. Judge Winmill’s decision said that his ruling is based on “four critical assumptions:”
“(1) This case will proceed on a fast track to trial;
(2) Prior to trial, there will be no measurable reduction in referrals to Saint Alphonsus from Saltzer physicians;
(3) The integration of St. Luke’s and Saltzer will proceed gradually; and
(4) The acquisition can be unwound and divestiture ordered if Saint Alphonsus prevails on its antitrust claims.”
The Opinion adds that “[if] these assumptions prove unfounded prior to trial, Saint Alphonsus is free to seek a preliminary injunction to freeze the integration process and/or unwind whatever steps have been taken to integrate Saltzer into the St. Luke’s system.”
Judge Winmill also added that “the Court will have no difficulty in ordering an immediate and complete divestiture if that is the result compelled at trial.”
We are pleased by the Court's action and look forward to a prompt resolution of this case in July. In the meantime we will cooperate with the ongoing investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and the Idaho Attorney General.