FTC Seeks Public Comment on Universal Health Services' Application to Sell Puerto Rico Assets

Universal Health Services, Inc. has submitted an application to the Federal Trade Commission to sell what are known as the Puerto Rico Divestiture Assets, including Hospital San Juan Capestrano and its affiliated outpatient centers, to Donald R. Dizney and David A. Dizney, through two companies that are members of the United Medical Corporation (UMC). Universal Health is required to sell the assets under an FTC order settling charges that its acquisition of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. as originally proposed was anticompetitive.

According to the application, the sale will satisfy the terms of the FTC decision and order. It would allow for the continuation of the Puerto Rico Divestiture Assets as an ongoing, viable psychiatric hospital facility, which will operate “under the competent and capable direction of the UMC family of companies.” Under the terms of the FTC order, Universal Health has already received Commission approval to sell assets in Delaware and must still divest assets in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Commission is accepting public comment on the application until November 14, 2011, after which it will decide whether to approve the sale. Written comments should be sent to: FTC Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20580. To file a comment click here and follow the instructions at that site. Copies of the application also can be found on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release. (FTC File No. 101-0142, Docket No. C-4309; the staff contact is Elizabeth A. Piotrowski, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2623; see press release dated November 15, 2010.)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.