FTC Requests Public Comment on Community Health Systems’ Application to Approve Sale of Riverview Regional Medical Center to Prime Healthcare

The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Community Health Systems to sell Riverview Regional Medical Center and its associated assets near Gadsden, Alabama, as required under the FTC’s April 2014 final order settling charges that CHS’s acquisition of rival health system Health Management Associates, Inc. would be anticompetitive in the Gadsden market and an additional market subject to a separate divestiture. Prior to the merger, both CHS and HMA were for-profit companies operating hospitals nationwide.

CHS’s current application petitions the FTC to approve the divestiture of these assets to Prime Healthcare, an owner and operator of acute care hospitals. According to the application, Prime Healthcare is well positioned and financially capable of operating the Riverview assets.

The Commission will decide whether to approve the proposed divestiture after expiration of a 30-day public comment period. Public comments may be submitted until January 8, 2015. Written comments should be sent to: FTC Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Comments can also be filed electronically. Copies of the application can be found on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release. (FTC File No. 131 0202, Docket No. C-4427; the staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room CC-5422, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.