A federal judge presiding over an antitrust lawsuit between two major health care providers in Idaho has declared that testimony and documents can remain hidden from public view.
U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled Tuesday after the Idaho Statesman and other news organizations challenged the broad shroud of secrecy approved for documents and trial testimony.
The lawsuit pits the Idaho attorney general's office, the Federal Trade Commission and Saint Alphonsus Health System against St. Luke's Health System and its bid to buy Nampa-based Saltzer Medical Group.
The other news organizations opposing protective order included The, Associated Press, Times-News, Idaho Press Tribune, Lewiston Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News and Idaho Press Club.
Media lawyer Charles Brown argued the public has a right to view everything presented in the case.