State hospitals settle anti-competition claims

HILLSDALE (AP) — Hospitals in three southern Michigan counties have agreed not to limit their marketing or restrict competition in response to a lawsuit by the federal government.

The Justice Department, joined by the state of Michigan, recently accused the hospitals of unlawfully agreeing for years to carve out territories. The hospitals are in Jackson, Lenawee, Branch and Hillsdale counties.

The government says the hospitals conspired to deprive people of important health information and education.

Four hospitals have agreed to settle the lawsuit, but the owner of Foote Memorial Hospital in Jackson has declined. Allegiance Health says its marketing strategy has benefited consumers, especially people in Hillsdale County.

The hospitals that have settled are ProMedica Herrick and ProMedica Bixby in Lenawee County; Hillsdale Community in Hillsdale County; and Community Health Center in Branch County.