A doctor who claims he is the sole independent vascular surgeon left in southern Indiana is suing Indiana University Health, claiming that the wide-reaching health system is a monopoly.
The lawsuit, filed June 11, claims that IU Health breached its contract when it revoked Dr. Ricardo Vasquez's privileges to perform surgeries at IU Health Bloomington.
The lawsuit says Vasquez's expulsion from the hospital was because his practice was in direct competition with the IU Health system. Vasquez alleges that this and other actions by IU Health and IU Health Chief Medical Officer consitute a violation of federal antitrust laws.
In addition, the lawsuit claims that Handel - and by proxy, IU Health - was instrumental in a defamation effort against Vasquez, including that Handel made false statements about him and his reputation to hospital staff.
The lawsuit requests a trial by jury.
IU Health declined a request for comment.
IU Health Lawsuit by Indiana Public Media News on Scribd
