STAT+: DOJ, Ohio attorney general accuse OhioHealth of driving up prices, crowding out competition

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Source: STAT News

Original: https://www.statnews.com/2026/02/20/doj-ohio-antitrust-lawsuit-ohiohealth-acontr...

Published: Fri, 20 Feb 2026 21:17:59 +0000

The US Department of Justice and the Ohio Attorney General filed a civil antitrust suit against OhioHealth Corporation in the District Court for Southern Ohio.[1][3][4] This is the first such action by the Ministry's antitrust department in the past year.[1][2] OhioHealth, the dominant hospital system in the Columbus area with approximately 40 percent market share, owns or operates 16 hospitals and outpatient facilities.[1][4] According to the lawsuit, since 2003, it has imposed contractual restrictions, such as anti-steering provisions and all-or-nothing contracts, that prevent insurers from offering cheaper plans to patients.[1][3] These practices force insurers to include OhioHealth in all commercial networks and raise prices about 50 percent higher than competitors.[1][4] The lawsuit alleges that such restrictions limit patient choice, increase insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs for employers and families.[1][3] OhioHealth has not commented on the lawsuit because it has not yet been officially served.[1]