Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Indiana Health Department Approves Union Health–Terre Haute Regional Merger Under COPA

The deal enters state supervision through 45 commitments, including a 265% of Medicare price cap alongside public reporting.

Overview

  • IDOH granted COPA approval on Nov. 9, allowing Union Health to acquire substantially all assets of Terre Haute Regional, part of HCA Healthcare.
  • The COPA framework subjects the merged system to state oversight with defined obligations spanning quality, pricing, access, service enhancements, employment and population health.
  • Pricing will be constrained by an average aggregate cap of 265% of Medicare, with limits on site-of-service billing changes and permission for direct-to-employer contracts.
  • The FTC and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita opposed the transaction, warning of higher costs, reduced patient choice, lower quality and potential wage suppression.
  • Union Health pledged at least $117 million in investments and recruitment of 30-plus providers, with ongoing IDOH monitoring, public listening sessions, a transparency website and two governor-appointed local board members.