Federal Trade Commission Consent Agreement: In The Matter Of CentraCare Health System

On October 6, 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed this settlement, announcing that it would permit a merger between Minnesota-based CentraCare Health and St. Cloud Medical Group (SCMG), as long as CentraCare released its physicians from non-compete contract clauses. The proposed consent order will permit CentraCare to acquire SCMG, but it requires CentraCare to allow a number of adult primary care, pediatric, and OB/GYN physicians to leave and work for other local providers or establish a new practice in the area. It also provides certain financial incentives to a number of departing physicians . . .