State and Federal Officials File Antitrust Lawsuit Against OhioHealth

Lawsuit alleges hospital system used market power to limit competition and raise healthcare costs in central Ohio

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Ohio Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice have filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against OhioHealth, a major hospital system in Ohio. The lawsuit claims OhioHealth allegedly pressured insurance companies to include the system in all commercial plans, preventing the development of lower-cost network options for employers and families.

Why it matters

This case is part of a broader push by federal and state officials to make healthcare more affordable by promoting competition in the industry. The lawsuit aims to roll back OhioHealth's alleged anticompetitive practices and open the door to more competitive insurance options for consumers in central Ohio.

The details

The lawsuit filed in federal court alleges that OhioHealth, which operates 16 hospitals and numerous outpatient facilities across Ohio, has used its market power to limit competition and raise healthcare costs. Officials claim the hospital system pressures insurers to include OhioHealth in all commercial plans, preventing the offering of lower-cost network options that could steer patients to high-quality, lower-cost providers.

  • The lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the state is joining the federal lawsuit.

The players

Dave Yost

The Ohio Attorney General, who says the state is joining the federal antitrust lawsuit against OhioHealth.

Pam Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General, who responded that the Department of Justice will continue taking legal action to protect consumers and drive down healthcare costs under President Trump's leadership.

OhioHealth

A major hospital system in Ohio that operates 16 hospitals and numerous outpatient facilities across the state.

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What they’re saying

“When competition is blocked, consumers end up being the biggest losers... My office stands with the Justice Department in our determination to eliminate these types of unfair practices and protect Ohioan's wallets.”

— Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General (dayton247now.com)

“Americans deserve low-cost, high-quality healthcare – not anticompetitive hospital system contracts that make healthcare less affordable... Under President Trump's leadership, this Department of Justice will continue taking legal action to protect consumers and drive down healthcare costs across America.”

— Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General (dayton247now.com)

What’s next

The case aims to roll back the alleged restrictions and open the door to more competitive insurance options in Ohio.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing efforts by federal and state officials to promote competition in the healthcare industry and make care more affordable for consumers. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for healthcare costs and insurance options in central Ohio.