FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Ascension Health-AmSurg Deal

The Federal Trade Commission has officially approved the final consent order for Ascension Health Alliance's $3.9 billion acquisition of AmSurg LLC. This acquisition requires Ascension to divest seven ambulatory surgery centers located in Nashville, Tennessee; Panama City, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Waco, Texas; and Wichita, Kansas. Six of these centers will be transferred to SC Affiliates, while the seventh center in Panama City will be sold to Florida Gastroenterology Center.

The FTC's decision comes after allegations that the acquisition would stifle competition for specific outpatient surgical services provided by gastroenterologists, ophthalmologists, and orthopedists in the metro areas surrounding the affected cities. The Commission argued that such limited competition could result in higher surgery costs for patients, decreased care quality, and reduced innovation in surgical procedures.

In addition to the divestitures, the final consent order imposes further conditions on Ascension. The company must provide the FTC with prior notice of any future acquisitions of ambulatory surgical centers in the metropolitan areas surrounding the divested centers. Following a public comment period, the Commission cast a 2-0 vote in favor of approving the final order.