Report strikes blow in Baptist Healing Trust's dispute with feds

A federal magistrate judge is recommending that the Baptist Healing Trust's suit against a government corporation be dismissed.

In January, the trust — which was created after the sale of Baptist Hospital to Ascension Health — filed suit against the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corp., claiming that the pension fund of the hospital was exempt from federal regulation because the Employment Retirement Income Security Act contains an exemption for "church plans," pension plans for religious organizations and certain affiliated entities.