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ALBANY --
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the lower courts improperly dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s complaint over Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital’s purchase of Palmyra Hospital in 2011.

The case will now go back to the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta for consideration.

Phoebe officials say the purchase of the hospital formerly owned by the Hospital Corporation of America is already completed and the ruling does not mean the purchase is in jeopardy.

Fox 31 reached out to HCA for a comment regarding the Supreme Court’s decision, who released the following statement,

“HCA closed on the sale of Palmyra Park Hospital to the hospital authority that owns Phoebe Putney in December, 2011, prior to any of the proceedings in the Supreme Court, and does not currently own or operate any assets in the Albany, Ga. area.  Thus, HCA did not participate in the briefing or argument in the Supreme Court, and is not an active participant in the continuing litigation.”

Phoebe officials say they will continue to move forward with the acquisition until someone tells them they can’t.

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