Supreme Court to hear Albany hospital purchase appeal - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Supreme Court to hear Albany hospital purchase appeal

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ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

The U-S Supreme Court will decide if Phoebe Putney Health System can buy Palmyra Medical Center and create a virtual monopoly on health care in the area.

Monday justices agreed to hear the Federal Trade Commission's appeal of an 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that allowed the sale to go through over the objections of the F-T-C.

Phoebe took over Palmyra late last year under a temporary management agreement.

A permanent lease is not yet in effect.

The F-T-C says the deal will drive up health care costs.

Phoebe released a statement saying "While we firmly believe the law is clear and there is no basis for change, we are not surprised by the Court's decision to look at the ramifications of consolidation in healthcare."

The statement also says Phoebe leaders are confident they will prevail.

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