FTC Sues Anesthesia Group and Private Equity Firm for Anticompetitive Consolidation Driving Up Healthcare Prices

FTC sued anesthesia group & private equity firm, claiming antitrust activity through consolidation
FTC chair Lina Khan vowed to tackle health care consolidation leading to higher prices
Suit targeted doctors' group & equity firm consolidating practices in Texas to raise prices
FTC says tactics enabled companies to raise prices, reaping millions at expense of patients
Case focuses on common strategy of equity firms helping companies buy & control doctor practices

nytimes.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/23/2023

Understanding Mergers Between Hospitals and Health Systems in Different Markets

Cross-market mergers between health care providers operating in different geographic markets can lead to increased prices and reduced access to care, despite potential benefits of efficiency and quality improvement, according to evidence and experts. Government antitrust agencies have started to scrutinize these mergers, but there is a lack of detailed guidelines and funding for litigation, allowing cross-market mergers to persist. Policymakers and regulators have proposed options such as increased scrutiny, prior approval requirements, and prohibiting certain contract clauses to address these concerns.

9/1/2023

Private equity, hedge funds sue SEC over new disclosure rules

A consortium of industry groups has filed a lawsuit against the SEC to block new rules that require private equity and hedge funds to disclose performance and fees, arguing that the rules will harm investors and reduce investment opportunities.

9/1/2023

US private funds industry sues securities regulator over new rules

Six private equity and hedge fund trade groups have sued the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), claiming that the agency overstepped its authority by implementing new expense and disclosure rules for the private funds industry.

9/6/2023

The FTC Could Call for an Amazon Breakup. Why Investors Should Celebrate.

The Federal Trade Commission may call for an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, which could be a positive development for investors.

9/16/2023

Major Retailers Sued Over Ineffective Decongestant Ingredients

A new lawsuit filed in California targets 14 retailers and pharmaceutical companies, including Walmart, CVS, and Amazon, for selling over-the-counter medicines containing phenylephrine as a decongestant, despite a regulatory panel ruling that it is ineffective, with the plaintiffs seeking class-action status and damages.

9/21/2023

FTC Sues Texas Anesthesiology Provider USAP for Alleged Monopoly Causing Higher Prices

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against the largest anesthesiology provider in Texas, U.S. Anesthesia Partners, accusing them of using monopoly power to drive up prices and requesting the company's breakup and a permanent ban on anticompetitive practices.

9/22/2023

FTC Poised to File Major Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amazon

The Federal Trade Commission is expected to file an antitrust case against Amazon's online retail operations, potentially leading to a court-ordered restructuring of the company and defining the legacy of FTC Chair Lina Khan.

9/28/2023

Justice Department Sues Agri Stats for Allegedly Enabling Meat Companies to Collude on Prices and Output

The Justice Department has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Agri Stats Inc. for organizing and managing anticompetitive information exchanges among meat processors, violating the Sherman Act and harming customers.

10/6/2023

FTC Sues Amazon for Allegedly Abusing Monopoly Power, Resulting in Higher Prices and Worse Shopping

Amazon's alleged anticompetitive practices, including punishing third-party sellers for offering lower prices elsewhere and artificially inflating prices, are at the center of an antitrust lawsuit filed by the FTC, which aims to hold the company accountable and seek appropriate remedies.

10/17/2023

DOJ Weighs Antitrust Probe of Real Estate Commissions That Critics Say Drive Up Home Prices

The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly considering an antitrust probe into the real estate-commission system, which charges up to 6% of a sale and has been criticized for inflating home prices, potentially leading to a ban on commission sharing.

Topics

Posted 9/22/2023, 12:28:26 AM

FTC Sues Anesthesia Group and Private Equity Firm for Anticompetitive Consolidation Driving Up Healthcare Prices

FTC sued anesthesia group & private equity firm, claiming antitrust activity through consolidation
FTC chair Lina Khan vowed to tackle health care consolidation leading to higher prices
Suit targeted doctors' group & equity firm consolidating practices in Texas to raise prices
FTC says tactics enabled companies to raise prices, reaping millions at expense of patients
Case focuses on common strategy of equity firms helping companies buy & control doctor practices

nytimes.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/23/2023

Understanding Mergers Between Hospitals and Health Systems in Different Markets

9/1/2023

Private equity, hedge funds sue SEC over new disclosure rules

9/1/2023

US private funds industry sues securities regulator over new rules

9/6/2023

The FTC Could Call for an Amazon Breakup. Why Investors Should Celebrate.

The Federal Trade Commission may call for an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, which could be a positive development for investors.

9/16/2023