LTC Matters: Federal Agencies Hold Hearings on Antitrust Issues in Health Care: Long Term Care Session Focuses on Competition Dimensions of Quality Care
7/21/2003
On February 26, 2003, the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice opened seven months of hearings on health care and competition law and policy. These hearings, which are ongoing, have not heralded any new direction or initiative in health care antitrust enforcement by federal authorities, but they do reflect the agencies' deep and continuing interest in the health care marketplace, particularly in ensuring that the industry acts in consumers' best interests, in terms of both competition and consumer protection. There are lessons to be learned from these hearings for assisted living and long term care providers.
This issue of the LTC Newsletter explores the fact that the antitrust agencies have not followed the conventional wisdom which holds that antitrust enforce declines during a republican administration. They are remaining consistently vigilant, particularly in the health care arena, and the FTC is re-emphasizing consumer protection.
Also included is a brief discussion of the most recent U.S. General Accounting Office report on long term care quality.
