Prime Healthcare Services, a U.S. health system with 44 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient facilities in 14 states, has filed a lawsuit that claims Nevada-based Renown Health is attempting to create a monopoly on cardiovascular care. KTVN 2 News in Reno, Nevada, reported on the lawsuit on Dec. 11.
Prime Healthcare filed the lawsuit after Renown Health allegedly pulled out of a contract with one of its hospitals, Reno-based Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, on short notice.
According to the lawsuit, Renown Health is contractually obligated to provide “plenty of advance notice” if making changes to its contract so that Saint Mary’s has time to work out an alternate plan.
Saint Mary’s has said the actions left its doctors, and its patients, without a cardiovascular surgery program. The situation appears to benefit healthcare providers who are still affiliated with Renown Health, Prime Healthcare alleges.
A Renown Health spokesperson did issue a statement to KTVN 2 News, saying its cardiothoracic surgery program had just “decided not to renew an expiring contract.”
“We remain steadfast in our mission to provide exceptional and compassionate care to our community,” the spokesperson said.