Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission and Department of Health and Human Services Issue Request for Public Input as Part of Inquiry into Impacts of Corporate Ownership Trend in Health Care

Summary:

The Justice Department's Antitrust Division, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have jointly launched a public inquiry into private-equity and other corporations' increasing control over healthcare. The inquiry aims to understand how certain healthcare market transactions may increase consolidation and generate profits for firms while threatening patients' health, workers' safety, and quality care. The agencies have issued a Request for Information (RFI) requesting public comment on deals conducted by health systems, private payers, private equity funds, and alternative asset managers that involve healthcare providers, facilities, or ancillary products or services. The RFI seeks information on transactions that would not be reported to the Justice Department or FTC for antitrust review. The agencies will use the comments submitted to inform their enforcement priorities and future actions, including potential regulations aimed at promoting and protecting competition in healthcare markets.