When hospitals and health systems are pursuing a merger or affiliation, there is a natural tendency to move things along quickly. While it is ok to conduct due diligence, explore potential efficiencies and plan for what might be possible if the affiliation takes place, the parties need to refrain from acting like they are already affiliated, implementing plans or sharing competitively sensitive information such as payor contracts until the deal is done. To do so could constitute unlawful “gun jumping” in violation of federal antitrust rules, possibly subject the parties to fines and other penalties or even derail the transaction. This podcast will summarize the gun jumping rules with suggestions about how to keep out of trouble.