FTC Finalizes Consent Order in Ascension Health-AmSurg Acquisition, Requiring Divestitures

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved a final consent order regarding Ascension Health Alliance's $3.9 billion acquisition of AmSurg LLC. The order mandates Ascension to divest seven ambulatory surgery centers across five states to address concerns that the merger would limit competition for outpatient surgical services, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced quality of care for patients.