FTC Seeks Information on Tenet Hospitals

Tenet Healthcare Corp. said federal antitrust regulators have asked for more information about hospitals in three California counties as part of an inquiry into Tenet’s planned $3.2-billion acquisition of Nashville-based OrNda Healthcorp. The Federal Trade Commission asked for more data about the two hospital firms’ hospitals in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Monterey counties, Tenet said. Between then, the two companies own three hospitals in San Luis Obispo County, said Tenet spokeswoman Christi Sulzbach. She said the Santa Barbara-based hospital chain still expects the deal to close by March 1. Tenet shares lost 12.5 cents to close at $23.25, and OrNda shares lost 12.5 ts to close at $30.50. Both trade on NYSE.