Idaho Judge Gives St. Luke’s Ok to Buy Medical Group

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a plan by St. Luke's Health System to buy Saltzer Medical Group can move forward for now. The Idaho Statesman reports that U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill on Thursday denied a request for a preliminary injunction by Saint Alphonsus Health System and Treasure Valley Hospital.

The two entities filed a federal lawsuit in November seeking to halt the deal, contending it would allow St. Luke's to dominate the market in Nampa and block referrals to St. Alphonsus. But Winmill ruled the acquisition can proceed because it wouldn't cause irreparable harm to St. Luke's competitors before the lawsuit can be decided at a trial this summer. Winmill also said the acquisition can be unwound if Saint Alphonsus prevails in the trial.