State

Ohio AG joins Department of Justice to sue OhioHealth for anticompetitive health-care contracts

By Staff Report
The DOJ and Ohio Attorney General sued OhioHealth, alleging anticompetitive insurer contract terms that limit options and drive up health-care costs in Ohio.
The DOJ and Ohio Attorney General sued OhioHealth, alleging anticompetitive insurer contract terms that limit options and drive up health-care costs in Ohio. digicomphoto Getty Images

An antitrust lawsuit alleging that OhioHealth limits competition and drives up health-care costs for patients and employers was recently filed according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

“When competition is blocked, consumers end up being the biggest losers,” Yost said. “My office stands with the Justice Department in our determination to eliminate these types of unfair practices and protect Ohioan’s wallets.”

The federal lawsuit, filed by the Department of Justice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, contends that OhioHealth uses its market strength to force insurers to include OhioHealth in all their commercial insurance networks. That practice prevents insurers from offering lower-priced health-plan options in central Ohio.

“Americans deserve low-cost, high-quality healthcare – not anticompetitive hospital system contracts that make healthcare less affordable,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice will continue taking legal action to protect consumers and drive down healthcare costs across America.”

The lawsuit seeks to stop OhioHealth’s restrictions so insurers can include more affordable, innovative plan options in their contracts with OhioHealth and in the commercial insurance products they sell to employers and families.

The complaint alleges these practices violate the federal Sherman Act and Ohio’s Valentine Act, both of which prohibit anticompetitive conduct that harms consumers. These restrictions limit competition and block the development of budget-conscious plans that would allow patients to choose high-quality, lower-cost providers. Without those options, employers and families face fewer choices and higher premiums.

OhioHealth owns or manages 16 hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout Ohio.

The Attorney General’s Office is standing with federal partners to protect consumers and restore competition in Ohio’s health-care marketplace.