FTC Approves Community Health Systems’ Application to Divest Riverview Regional Medical Center to Prime Healthcare

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application from Community Health Systems to sell Riverview Regional Medical Center and its associated assets near Gadsden, Alabama.

The divestiture was required under the FTC’s April 2014 final order settling charges that CHS’s acquisition of rival health system Health Management Associates, Inc. was likely to reduce competition for general acute care inpatient services sold to commercial health plans and provided to commercially insured patients in the Gadsden market, and in an additional market subject to a separate divestiture.

The Commission vote to approve the divestiture was 5-0. (FTC File No. 131 0202, the staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526)

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