30 January 2014 (09:22 UTC-07 Tango)/28 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/10 Bahman 1392/30 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

“By 2012, Saint Luke’s had three of the top five highest paid hospitals, and its top hospital was receiving reimbursements 21% higher than the average Idaho hospital.”-statement made during secret federal court trial

A federal judge ruled that Boise’s Saint Luke’s Regional Medical Center violated antitrust laws when it took over the Nampa’s Saltzer Medical Group.  On top of that, the now public court documents show the takeover was part of a sinister plan by the ‘Christian’ Saint Luke’s to jack up health care costs by as much as 60%!

The scam was revealed by a lawsuit filed against Saint Luke’s by Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, and the Federal Trade Commission.

The secret trial revealed that Saint Luke’s had been advised by consultants (from health insurance company Blue Cross) that if they killed off Saltzer Medical Group, thereby forcing many Idahoans in the area to go to Saint Luke’s, they could increase their billing rates.

The trial was kept secret at the request of Saint Luke’s and Blue Cross.  Both Saint Luke’s and Blue Cross begged the court keep the details of the trial secret once the trial concluded, but U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ignored that request and “unsealed” the court documents!

The trial also revealed that for some reason Blue Cross pays Idaho hospitals and doctors much more than the national average: “Across the United States, the average commercial insurance plan pays about 120% of what Medicare pays. For overnight hospital stays in Idaho, (Blue Cross) pays between 150% to 200% more than Medicare pays. For outpatient hospital services, (Blue Cross) pays 300% more than Medicare. For routine office visits, (Blue Cross) pays 140% more than other commercial plans.”

Blue Cross and Saint Luke’s have appealed the ruling.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013