Category: FTC

FTC blocks merger of two NJ hospitals less than a mile apart

Daily, FTC, Legal, News, RWJBarnabas Health, SYN, Top Story / June 15, 2022 June 15, 2022

This is the third complaint the FTC filed against proposed hospital mergers so far this year.

With the FTC’s conditional approval, Medtronic completes its $1.1B acquisition of Intersect ENT

Acquisition, Daily, Devices & Diagnostics, FTC, Intersect ENT, Medical Devices, Medtronic, News, SYN, Top Story / May 13, 2022 May 13, 2022

To get approval for the deal, Medtronic agreed to sell an Intersect subsidiary to soothe the FTC’s concerns.

Health apps could face big fines if they don’t disclose privacy breaches

cybersecurity, Daily, digital health, FTC, health apps, Health Tech, Legal, mobile health, Policy, privacy, SYN, Top Story, Wearables / September 20, 2021 September 20, 2021

The agency reminded health apps and wearables companies that they must disclose any breach of users’ health information, even if they are not a HIPAA covered entity. Companies that fail to disclose a breach could face thousands of dollars per day in fines.

Hackensack Meridian Health, Englewood Health appeal court decision to block merger

appeal, competition, Daily, District Court, Englewood Health, FTC, Hackensack Meridian Health, hospitals, Legal, merger, New Jersey, News, process, SYN, Top Story / August 30, 2021 August 30, 2021

The FTC sued to block the merger between the two New Jersey-based health systems and won a preliminary injunction earlier this month. But the providers believe that the merger would not raise prices or stifle competition — like the FTC alleges it would — and have filed an appeal.

What is the FTC’s stance on pharmaceutical mergers?

FTC, Industrial Organization, Pharmaceuticals, Public Policy, regulation / March 18, 2021 March 18, 2021

The answer to this question likely will be shaped in part by a new multilateral working group that will include not only representatives from the U.S. (U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, and Offices of State Attorneys General), but also Canada (Canadian Competition Bureau), Europe (the European Commission Directorate General for Competition) and the United …

What is the FTC’s stance on pharmaceutical mergers? Read More »

Einstein Healthcare Network, Jefferson Health to merge after FTC drops challenge

challenge, Daily, Einstein Healthcare Network, FTC, hospitals, jefferson health, lawsuit, Legal, merger, News, SYN, Top Story / March 2, 2021 March 2, 2021

The Federal Trade Commission is no longer opposing the proposed merger between Einstein Healthcare Network and Jefferson Health. Nearly three years after it was first announced, the deal can now move forward uncontested and will result in an 18-hospital system.

Why hospitals want CMS, FTC to examine two UnitedHealthcare policies

access, CMS, Daily, Diagnostics, examine, FTC, News, Patient Care, Payers, policies, Policy, specialty pharmacy, surprise billing, SYN, Top Story, UnitedHealthcare / February 9, 2021 February 9, 2021

Two UnitedHealthcare policies have raised several concerns among providers, including that they may display anti-competitive behavior and could block patient access to certain healthcare services. The American Hospital Association is asking the FTC and CMS to review and potentially block these policies.

Period-tracking app settles FTC charges that it misled users about privacy

Daily, digital health, Flo, FTC, health app, Health Tech, Policy, privacy, SYN, Top Story / January 14, 2021 January 14, 2021

Flo, a popular period-tracking app, reached a settlement with the FTC over allegations that it misled users about how their health information would be shared. As part of the settlement, the startup is required to conduct an independent review of its privacy practices.

Zoom reaches settlement over encryption claims

cybersecurity, Daily, encryption, FTC, Health IT, Health Tech, Legal, settlement, SYN, Telehealth, Top Story, Zoom / November 11, 2020 November 11, 2020

Video conferencing company Zoom reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over claims that the company used end-to-end encryption in its video calls, when it reportedly used a lower level of security.