Partners Health completes takeover of doctors group

The state's largest health system acquired a group of about 70 doctors Wednesday, adding 60,000 patients to its network, despite warnings from the attorney general and health officials that the deal would raise medical costs without benefiting consumers. But Partners HealthCare promised to limit price increases for its new doctors, who make up the practice Harbor Medical Associates, to the rate of inflation for about five years. Partners operates 10 hospitals, including the prestigious Boston teaching hospitals, Massachusetts General, and Brigham and Women's. Partners spokesman Rich Copp said the health system alerted the state's largest health insurers — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and Tufts Health Plan — about its plans on Wednesday.