Connecticut Attorney General William Tong reached an agreement with Northwell Health and Nuvance Health to resolve an antitrust investigation into their proposed affiliation. The agreement preserves labor and delivery services at Sharon Hospital and strengthens healthcare access in Western Connecticut. Northwell committed to maintaining women's health services, investing in IT and cybersecurity, and complying with Connecticut's anti-steering statute for five years.
Northwell Health must preserve and expand women's health services at Sharon Hospital, commit resources to unify electronic medical records and enhance data security, negotiate reimbursement rates independently for Connecticut and New York facilities, and comply with Connecticut's statute prohibiting anti-steering and anti-tiering clauses in network agreements for five years.
In-house legal teams should review all agreements related to healthcare affiliations, mergers, or service contracts, particularly those involving hospital systems or provider networks. Focus on clauses governing service preservation (especially labor and delivery and women's health services), anti-steering compliance, market competition safeguards, and commitments to IT/cybersecurity investments. Changes may be needed to incorporate enforceable five-year conditions, monitoring mechanisms, and penalties for non-compliance, ensuring that vendor, customer, and partnership agreements do not conflict with the mandated service maintenance and anti-steering requirements under Connecticut law.
Entity
Northwell Health, Inc. and Northwell Healthcare, Inc. (collectively “Northwell”) and Nuvance Health
Also known as: Northwell Health and Nuvance Health
Industry
HealthcareOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-reaches-agreement-with-northwell-health-and-nuvance-health
agreement of assurances northwell nuvance.pdf?rev=af389c9ec7
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/agreement-of-assurances---northwell-nuvance.pdf?rev=af389c9ec765455c809182d50f894c49&hash=496477B29197E804048A8918E9D93CA1
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.
Connecticut officials warned residents about potential home improvement scams before an approaching nor’easter, including unlicensed contractors, high-pressure sales tactics, and demands for full payment upfront. The release provides consumer guidance on checking contractors and contract requirements; it does not announce an enforcement action or penalty against a named entity.