Plans by OSF St. Anthony Medical Center to acquire Rockford Health System have been called off, just days before officials from both sides were to testify at a Federal Trade Commission hearing in Washington, D.C.
Rockford Health System C.E.O. Gary Kaatz says the two health systems will continue to look at ways to collaborate in the future, even if a combined system isn't in the cards right now. Last week, a federal judge in Rockford granted the F.T.C. an injunction to temporarily halt OSF HealthCare's acquisition of Rockford Health System. The F.T.C. challenged the acquisition last fall, saying the deal would be anti-competitive and could raise prices on health care in the area.
