Barry C. Harris, Principal and Board Chairman of Economists Incorporated (EI), was the expert economist and testified at deposition on liability issues on behalf of defendant Verdi Valley Medical Center. Plaintiffs, Nitan Patel M.D. and Cardiac Care LLP, alleged that the defendants engaged in a variety of anticompetitive actions in order to eliminate competition for inpatient and outpatient cardiology services in the Verdi Valley area of Arizona. Dr. Harris’ analysis showed that competition had not been eliminated and that the appropriate antitrust geographic market was broader than the Verdi Valley area. Summary judgment was granted on March 31, 2009. The defendants were represented by David Ettinger of Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn LLP. Dr. Harris was assisted by EI Corporate Vice President David Argue. The summary judgment opinion is currently under seal.
Barry C. Harris, Principal and Board Chairman of Economists Incorporated (EI), was the expert economist and testified at deposition on liability issues and damages on behalf of defendant Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The principal allegations by plaintiffs, Dr. John D. Powderly and Carolina BioOncology Institute, involve the denial by BCBSNC of applications by the plaintiffs to be included in the BCBSNC provider networks for its commercial health plans. Plaintiffs specifically claimed that BCBSNC used its alleged market power to foreclose and eliminate competition in Mecklenburg County. Dr. Harris’ analysis showed that BCBSNC did not possess market power, foreclosure had not occurred, competition had not been eliminated and the appropriate antitrust geographic market was broader than Mecklenburg County. Plaintiffs’ antitrust claims were dismissed on May 18, 2009. Summary Judgement on plaintiffs’ claims of unfair or deceptive trade practices was granted on the same day. The defendants were represented by James Burns of Williams Mullen PC. Dr. Harris was assisted by EI Vice President Stephanie Mirrow.