Court Greenlights CarePoint’s Antitrust Suit Against RWJ Barnabas Health

The US District Court for the District of New Jersey has granted CarePoint Health Systems Inc. the go-ahead to continue its pursuit of an antitrust lawsuit against RWJ Barnabas Health.

According to Bloomberg, the court ruled on November 17 that CarePoint’s complaint adequately demonstrated it suffered an antitrust injury due to RWJ Barnabas Health’s alleged actions aimed at monopolizing the general acute care hospital services market in Hudson County, New Jersey.

As per the court’s decision, CarePoint put forth compelling arguments asserting that it experienced harm as a result of RWJ Barnabas Health’s purported bad-faith acquisition of confidential information, the poaching of leading practitioners, and the dissemination of false information about CarePoint.

The case will now advance to the discovery stage, where CarePoint anticipates uncovering substantial new evidence to support its claim that RWJ Barnabas Health engaged in unlawful collusion, intending to force CarePoint Health out of business and establish dominance in the healthcare market in Hudson County.

CarePoint Health spokesperson Shannon Brennan expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, stating, “This ruling validates CarePoint’s argument and strengthens its resolve to ensure fair competition and accessible healthcare services for the communities it serves.” Brennan emphasized that CarePoint remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of patient care and advocating for a healthcare landscape that fosters equity and integrity.

The lawsuit revolves around allegations of various instances of anticompetitive conduct by RWJ Barnabas Health since its entry into the Hudson County market. These actions were allegedly designed to unlawfully damage CarePoint Health.

Judge Padin, in her ruling, asserted that “the complaint contains allegations supporting an inference of antitrust injury” and that “CarePoint has plausibly alleged a conspiracy spanning from RWJ’s entry into the relevant market and continuing through more recent conduct and ongoing harm.”

This ruling reinforces CarePoint’s unwavering commitment to upholding fair competition and ensuring patient access to healthcare services across Hudson County.

Source: News Bloomberg Law