This Week In Epic News: FTC Probe, AI Agents & More
Epic faced an FTC antitrust probe this week, but that didn't stop the EHR giant from unveiling a wave of new AI tools at its annual conference.
Takeda Vows Appeal of $885M Jury Verdict in ‘Pay-for-Delay’ Antitrust Case
Pharmacies and wholesalers claimed Takeda Pharmaceutical delayed generic competition from entering the market, forcing them to overpay for a gastrointestinal drug. Takeda said the trial had “evidentiary and legal errors,” and the company will appeal the verdict.
presented by
Closing the Quality-Affordability Gap in Workplace Mental Health
In an interview, Kyan Health Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Konstantin Struck discussed how Kyan gives mid-market and enterprise employers access to premium workforce mental healthcare, at a price point that is affordable.
DOJ Cracks Down on Unfair Contracts with New Lawsuit Against NewYork-Presbyterian
The Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against NewYork-Presbyterian, alleging the hospital used “all-or-nothing” contracts that blocked lower-cost plans and limited competition. The case comes just five weeks after the Justice Department filed a similar lawsuit against OhioHealth.
DOJ, Ohio File Antitrust Suit Against OhioHealth Over Payer Contracts
The Department of Justice and the state of Ohio filed an antitrust lawsuit against OhioHealth this week, alleging the health system used “all-or-nothing” contracts that force insurers to include all of its hospitals and physicians. The case highlights federal and state scrutiny of hospital consolidation and restrictive contracting practices — with potential implications for payers, patients and healthcare markets across the country.
4 Things to Know About Texas’ Lawsuit Against Epic
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Epic, alleging the company monopolizes the EHR market and restricts access to medical information. Epic denied the claims — but the lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about interoperability, data access and competition in the healthcare software space.
Pfizer Lawsuits Allege Novo Nordisk’s Bid to Buy Obesity Biotech Metsera is Anticompetitive, Illegal
Pfizer claims Metsera breached their merger agreement, adding that a tie-up of the biotech with GLP-1 drug giant Novo Nordisk would violate U.S. antitrust law. Metsera called the arguments “nonsense” and said Pfizer is trying to buy the obesity drug developer for less than what Novo is willing to pay.
presented by
The Healthcare Payments Industry Faces a Perception Challenge
Healthcare payments are no longer about transactions. It’s about controlling the revenue cycle. And increasingly, that control is not sitting with ISOs.
Judge Advances Particle Health’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against Epic
A federal judge has allowed key claims in Particle Health’s antitrust lawsuit against Epic to move forward, marking the first time such allegations against the EHR giant have gotten this far. The case centers on Epic’s alleged use of its influence over the Carequality data exchange to block Particle’s access to patient records and stifle competition in the emerging payer platform market.
10 Key MedTech Themes for 2025
The MedTech industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience in navigating uncertainty, and 2025 promises to be a pivotal year as the election supercycle concludes and AI regulatory frameworks become clearer.
Unpacking the Epic-Particle Health Dispute: When It Started, What’s Being Alleged & What It Means for the Industry
Following a months-long dispute, data platform Particle Health filed an antitrust lawsuit against Epic, alleging that the EHR giant is using its dominance in the market to prevent competition in the payer platform space. Particle believes the lawsuit is an “unprecedented challenge” to Epic’s market power, while Epic thinks the startup’s claims are “baseless.”
FTC Chief Says Tech Advancements Risk Healthcare Price Fixing
Algorithms make it possible for companies to fix prices without explicitly coordinating with one another, posing a new test for regulators policing the market, said Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, during a media event hosted by KFF.
Where Will AI Deployment Benefit Payers the Most?
We are taking a look at how health insurers are using AI, defining success, and managing cybersecurity risks. Give us your opinions by completing our brief, anonymous survey.
Should the DOJ Break Up UnitedHealth Group?
The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly recently launched an antitrust investigation of UnitedHealth Group, which begs the question of whether the healthcare giant should be broken up. Experts have varying opinions.
Illumina’s Antitrust Battles to End With Divestiture of Cancer Test Maker Grail
Illumina has decided against further appeals of U.S. and European antitrust litigation challenging its acquisition of liquid biopsy company Grail. Illumina expects to have terms of the divestiture set by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Unions File Antitrust Complaint Against UPMC & Allege ‘Draconian’ Labor Practices
A group of labor unions have filed an antitrust complaint against UPMC. They alleged that the health system has prevented its workers from being able to advocate for themselves and their patients through “a draconian system of mobility restrictions and widespread labor law violations that lock in sub-competitive pay and working conditions.”
Judge OKs vertical merger despite rare challenge from DOJ to prevent “anticompetitive” practices
Combining the two companies may give UnitedHealth unfair access to its competitors data that is operated by Change Healthcare, the DOJ warned it its complaint, but a DC judge has blocked the complaint.
CVS scheme diverted millions from underserved population, NY AG says
Attorney General Letitia James accused CVS of a scheme starting in 2017 to prevent New York safety net hospitals from using the company of their choice to obtain federal drug subsidies on prescriptions filled at CVS through the 340B program