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Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital held a press conference today and stated they were "disappointed" with Palmyra Medical Center's choice to appeal a federal lawsuit ruling.  

A federal court decision last week dismissed Palmyra's antitrust lawsuit seeking to break "Phoebe's monopolies and restore patient choice."  Phoebe officials have long stated that they don't monopolize on the healthcare industry, and that their patients will now have to pay for what they call "more frivolous lawsuits." 

“It's unfortunate that this will be another distraction.  These dollars this day and age are desperately needed for operating activities here at our institution, revenues are not necessarily going up and this is just another added expense and burden to our community and to our hospital,” said Phoebe Putney President and CEO Joel Wernick. 

Phoebe Putney says they will try to seek legal action in order to reimburse their patients for added costs because of the litigation process.