The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced an extension of the deadline for public comments on a tri-agency Request for Information (RFI) regarding the impact of corporate greed in health care. The new deadline for submissions is now June 5, 2024.

According to the announcement, the cross-government inquiry aims to delve into how certain health care market transactions could lead to increased consolidation and profits for corporations while potentially jeopardizing the well-being of patients, workers, and the quality and affordability of health care services.

The RFI specifically calls for public input on deals involving various entities such as health systems, private payers, private equity funds, and other alternative asset managers within the health care sector. It also seeks information on transactions that might not undergo antitrust review by the Justice Department or FTC under existing regulations.

Individuals interested in contributing to the inquiry can submit their comments on Regulations.gov, with all submissions being made publicly available on the platform. The initial deadline for comments was scheduled to close on May 6, 2024.

In addition to this initiative, the FTC continues to focus on developing policy initiatives that impact competition, consumers, and the U.S. economy. The FTC emphasizes transparency and warns the public to be vigilant against fraudulent schemes, stating, "The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize." Interested parties are encouraged to follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts, and stay updated on the latest news and alerts from the Commission.