WESTLAKE : FTC Seeks Input on Medical Center Deal

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking opinions on the proposed acquisition of Westlake Medical Center by Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. before deciding whether to approve the deal.

Columbia/HCA, based in Louisville, Ky., is a large hospital chain that also owns Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks. Los Robles had been competing fiercely for patients with Westlake Medical Center, owned by another chain, Universal Health Services Inc., based in King of Prussia, Pa.

The five-member commission, based in Washington, will consider public comments in deciding whether to allow the acquisition. The FTC could block the deal if the merger would create a monopoly violating antitrust laws.

The commission is accepting public comments until May 5.