Saint Alphonsus President and CEO Sally Jeffcoat Responds to Judge Winmill’s Ruling in Favor of the Plaintiffs
BOISE, IDAHO – Today, U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the antitrust case brought against St. Luke’s Health System, in response to their attempted acquisition of Saltzer Medical Group in Nampa. The plaintiffs in the case included the Federal Trade Commission, Idaho Attorney General, Saint Alphonsus Health System, and Treasure Valley Hospital.
Saint Alphonsus Health System President and CEO, Sally Jeffcoat, issued this statement regarding the ruling:
“We are very pleased with today’s ruling. Competition is important to the creation of a vital healthcare environment and fosters innovation, choice, accessibility and affordability. I completely agree with Judge Winmill’s sentiment that improving the delivery of healthcare in the Treasure Valley does not require actions that ‘run afoul of the antitrust laws and do not run such a risk of increased [healthcare] costs’. We will continue to work with all healthcare providers – including Saltzer Medical Group – to provide seamless access to healthcare for our communities.”
“Filing the suit was a difficult decision for Saint Alphonsus. However, we believe it was the right decision for our patients and the communities we serve. We will continue to stay true to our mission, and focus on delivering the highest quality and most efficient care close to home,” Jeffcoat said.
Karl Keeler, CEO of the Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Nampa, issued this statement:
“This ruling in favor of Saint Alphonsus is a great benefit to the citizens of Nampa. I believe when consumers have choices it raises the quality of care as we compete and requires providers to keep costs in check. Our hospital has been serving this community for nearly100 years and we will continue to collaborate with all physicians to provide high quality health care for Nampa residents.”
About Saint Alphonsus Health System
As a faith-based Catholic ministry and not-for-profit health system, Saint Alphonsus Health System reinvests in the communities we serve through charity care and other benefits. Our goal is to improve the health and well-being of people by emphasizing care that is patient-centered, physician-led, innovative and community-based. Saint Alphonsus Health System serves the people of southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada through these facilities: Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center - Boise, ID; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa, ID; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Ontario, OR; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Baker City, OR; and, Saint Alphonsus Medical Group with primary and specialty care providers at 35 clinic locations, all of which are members of the Saint Alphonsus Health Alliance, a network of over 1400 employed and independent providers. To find out more go to: www.saintalphonsus.org