The Federal Trade Commission ordered Ascension to divest seven ambulatory surgery centers to complete its $3.9 billion acquisition of AmSurg [1].
This regulatory requirement aims to prevent the creation of monopolies in specific healthcare markets. By forcing the sale of overlapping facilities, the FTC intends to preserve competition and protect patient access to surgical services.
Ascension, a nonprofit Catholic health system, sought to expand its footprint through the purchase of AmSurg [1]. The FTC determined that the merger would create antitrust concerns in certain regions where both entities already operate surgery centers [1], [3]. To address these concerns, the agency required the divestiture of seven specific centers as a condition for the deal to close [1], [3].
Following the completion of the transaction, Ascension will operate a network of more than 300 ambulatory surgery centers [2]. The deal represents a significant expansion of the health system's outpatient capabilities across the U.S. [2].
While some reports indicate the purchase has already closed [2], other accounts specify that the divestitures are a mandatory requirement for the finalization of the $3.9 billion transaction [1], [3]. The agency's move follows a broader trend of increased scrutiny regarding healthcare consolidation and its impact on service costs.
“The FTC ordered Ascension to divest seven ambulatory surgery centers to complete its $3.9 billion acquisition of AmSurg.”
The FTC's intervention highlights a rigorous regulatory approach toward healthcare mergers that could limit competition. By requiring the sale of overlapping assets, the government is attempting to stop the rise of 'healthcare deserts' or price hikes that often follow the consolidation of specialized surgical services in local markets.
