In Sidibe et al. v. Sutter Health et al., Northern District of California Judge Laurel Beeler dismissed without prejudice a proposed class action alleging that Sutter Health restrained competition in medical services.
The plaintiffs alleged that Sutter thwarted competition and increased its dominance by imposing tying and exclusive dealing arrangements on health plans that required them to use only Sutter providers or affiliated doctors’ groups or instead lose access to all Sutter providers.
The court found insufficient facts to support the conclusory allegations that Sutter’s conduct increase prices.
Judge Beeler also rejected the alleged product and geographic markets because they did not allege “specific products” or justify the alleged 22 county geographic market.
The proposed class has 28 days to amend its complaint.