REP. JENKINS, AG MORRISEY ON CABELL HUNTINGTON, ST. MARY'S ANTITRUST AGREEMENT

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey held a joint press conference Friday morning to discuss the antitrust agreement filed by the attorney general’s Antitrust Division in the acquisition of St. Mary’s Medical Center by Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Rep. Jenkins said the agreement will be beneficial to his district and constituents.
 
“Huntington is proud of our excellent hospitals and outstanding health care providers, and protecting access to care while controlling costs for all patients is critical,” Rep. Jenkins said.
 
“Today’s announcement that West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has facilitated a strong, comprehensive set of compliance obligations that Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center have both agreed to is a significant step in this merger.
 
“This agreement will ensure our state and federal consumer protection laws will be upheld, both facilities will continue to operate, competition will be preserved, rates will be controlled, and St. Mary’s faith-based mission will be preserved,” Rep. Jenkins said. “I firmly believe that this important agreement would not have been achieved without the commitment of both hospitals to act in the best interest of their patients and their employees, and the hard work and healthcare expertise of Attorney General Morrisey.”

Attorney General Morrisey said consumers will be protected and competition will be preserved in the agreement.
 
“This agreement sets out a series of conditions the companies have agreed to abide by in the coming years that will serve to protect consumers from unreasonable cost increases, provide continued access to the quality of services both hospitals provide and protect doctors and employees from uncompetitive practices,” Attorney General Morrisey said.
 
“I believe that this agreement will accomplish a great deal to ensure that our citizens have access to quality and affordable health care close to their homes.”