Mr. Pollack notes how several health plans have merged during the past decade, creating a highly concentrated industry, and asked Ms. Varney to examine the mergers to see if consumers and healthcare providers had benefited from them, according to the release.
The letter also asks for public hearings to help explain why health plans are consolidating in most markets around the country, how they are affecting consumers and providers and how they may affect the president’s health reform initiative. A report (pdf) is also included with the letter, which outlines issues for the Antitrust Division to review regarding health plan mergers.
The letter comes after Ms. Varney announced that the department will aggressively enforce antitrust laws against corporations that use their dominance to harm competitors.
Read the AHA release about health plan merger antitrust issues.
Read the AHA’s letter to Ms. Varney (pdf).
