The Cottage hospital acquisition of Sansum Clinic will result in the control of Santa Barbara County’s South Coast and Santa Ynez Valley as to medical care and services. A full investigation and determinations need to be made as to how the acquisition and merger will eliminate competition and affect growing medical costs, insurance coverage and increased insurance costs, medical treatments, accessibility of medical care, the contiuance of private physician care, outpatient care, and quality of care.
Cottage has acquired St. Francis Medical Center and both Goleta Valley Hospital and Medical Center and Santa Ynez Hospital. With the acquisition of Sansum Clinic, all competition in the South Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley will be eliminated. If you have problems and concerns with the Cottage acquisition of Sansum Clinic, contact the Federal Trade Commission: antitrust@ftc.gov.