Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson announced on Mar. 20 the creation of a Healthcare Task Force aimed at strengthening enforcement and advocacy efforts to protect patients, healthcare workers, and taxpayers.
The new task force will bring together staff from the FTC’s Bureaus of Competition, Consumer Protection, Economics, as well as the Office of Policy Planning and Office of Technology. Its goals include leading targeted enforcement initiatives, developing coordinated strategies for investigations, proactively identifying opportunities for legal filings such as amicus briefs, and recognizing emerging issues in healthcare enforcement and advocacy.
According to the announcement, the Healthcare Task Force also plans to expand its membership by including other agencies and law enforcement partners like the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice.
The formation of this task force is described as part of ongoing efforts to "create a more competitive, innovative, affordable, and higher quality healthcare system" following an executive order from President Trump. Over the past year, the FTC has reported several actions in support of these goals: securing a settlement with Express Scripts that is expected to lower drug costs by up to $7 billion over ten years; challenging mergers such as Edwards’ proposed acquisition of JenaValve; stopping the merger between Alcon and Lensar; obtaining $145 million in consumer redress from companies accused of misleading health insurance customers; and taking action against substance-abuse treatment facilities engaged in deceptive practices.
Chairman Ferguson said these steps are part of continued efforts "to address existing and emerging consumer-protection and competition issues across the healthcare industry."
The FTC reminds consumers that it works to promote competition while protecting and educating consumers about scams or fraudulent business practices.
