The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Justice Department (DOJ), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have introduced a new tool to help identify illegal anticompetitive behavior in the healthcare industry. The tool, an online portal, allows the public to lodge complaints against companies that engage in practices detrimental to competition.
In a joint press release, the agencies announced the launch of the online portal, HealthyCompetition.gov, on April 18 with the aim of safeguarding competition in healthcare markets.
"All too often, we hear how unfair methods of competition and monopolistic practices may be depriving Americans of access to affordable, high-quality healthcare," said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan in the press release. "This joint initiative between FTC, DOJ, and HHS will provide a crucial channel for the agencies to hear from the public, bolstering our work to check illegal business practices that harm consumers and workers alike."
The press release also mentioned that submitted complaints would undergo preliminary review by FTC and DOJ Antitrust Division staff. If a complaint raises sufficient concern, it could lead to further investigation and potentially a formal inquiry.
"Americans depend on competitive health care markets to provide quality choices and lower costs for coverage. That’s why we are working to tackle anticompetitive practices in the health care markets," stated HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in the press release."The information provided by the public will help to root out these behaviors."
"Competition in health care is crucial to ensuring fair and competitive wages across the healthcare sector and affordable and quality healthcare for all Americans," said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of DOJ’s Antitrust Division. "Today’s launch of HealthyCompetition.gov—a one-stop shop to report potential violations of our competition laws to DOJ and FTC—will allow the agencies to collaborate early and often, helping to promote economic opportunity and fairness for all."
