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West Penn, UPMC exchange more harsh words in court
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The war of words between West Penn Allegheny Health System and UPMC continued Friday as West Penn filed a harshly worded motion in U.S. District Court in response to a UPMC salvo of last month in their 3-year-old antitrust case.
West Penn Allegheny called on Judge Joy Flowers Conti to dismiss UPMC's counterclaims against its rival, saying the dominant hospital system's arguments "turn antitrust law on its head. The antitrust laws are intended and designed to protect competition and consumers, not monopolistic bullies determined to eliminate their only remaining competitor."
West Penn Allegheny sued in 2009, saying UPMC and Highmark conspired to stifle competition. When Highmark agreed to buy West Penn Allegheny, the hospital system dropped the insurer from the case.
UPMC last month filed counterclaims saying that it was Highmark and West Penn Allegheny who tried to unfairly compete. Highmark, UPMC claimed, "illegally dominated the health insurance market" in part by propping up West Penn Allegheny.
First Published June 30, 2012 12:32 am
