{"argument_date":"2012-11-26T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-11-26T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","paragraphs":["Benjamin Horwich argued the state action doctrine provides a defense. He stated the state must clearly articulate intent to displace competition.","Waxman argued the Georgia legislature adopted a model of local public choice. He stated this model includes the choice to reduce or eliminate competition.","Chief Justice Roberts asked about the difference between acquiring properties to fulfill or promote a mission.","Justice Scalia questioned whether general corporate powers allow ignoring the Sherman Act."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-11"}]}],"caption":"FTC v. Phoebe Putney Health System, Inc.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.622046Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The FTC argues a Georgia hospital violated antitrust laws. The hospital claims state law protected its actions.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-11-26T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/11-1160.html","primary_docket":"11-1160","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T22:37:23.374934Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The Federal Trade Commission sued a Georgia hospital system. The FTC claims the hospital illegally acquired a competitor. The hospital argues state law authorized the move. The case tests the limits of state action doctrine."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 26, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The FTC wants the Court to reject the state action defense. It seeks to hold the hospital liable for antitrust violations.","The hospital wants the Court to uphold the state action defense. It seeks to keep the lower court ruling intact."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The FTC argues the state did not clearly articulate intent to displace competition. It contends the general charter language is insufficient for immunity.","The hospital argues the Georgia legislature adopted a model of local public choice. It contends this choice includes the power to reduce competition."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if normal corporate charters contain authority to acquire property.","Justice Scalia asked if this enables all corporations to ignore the Sherman Act."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the scope of state action doctrine. It determines when state law shields private entities from federal antitrust enforcement. The outcome shapes the balance between state regulatory power and federal market competition laws."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 41-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 23-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 23-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-11"}]}],"slug":"2012-11-1160-ftc-v-phoebe-putney-health-system-inc","term":"2012","title":"Does a state charter authorizing property acquisition exempt a hospital from antitrust laws?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-1160.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-1"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}