April 05--A trial set to begin Wednesday in the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust lawsuit seeking to scuttle the merger of two Chicago-area hospital chains was postponed until Monday.
At a hearing Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso delayed the trial to clear up some issues involving the confidentiality of competitive information, according to a lawyer involved in the case.
The FTC is trying to block a deal that would combine Downers Grove-based Advocate Health Care and Evanston-based NorthShore University HealthSystem. The antitrust enforcement agency alleges that the merger would reduce competition in Cook and Lake counties, which would lead to higher prices. The hospital systems have denied the allegations.
In its investigation, the FTC requested information from health insurance companies and hospital competitors. Those companies would like to have those documents kept out of public view because they contain sensitive information about strategies and pricing.
The judge denied requests from 15 third parties to seal documents but gave them a chance to refile, said David Dahlquist, an attorney representing NorthShore. The parties have until Friday to refile their requests, and the judge will rule on them Monday, Dahlquist said.
asachdev@tribpub.com
