FTC Sues Private Equity-Owned Anesthesia Company for Illegal Monopolization, Causing Major Price Hikes for Patients
-
FTC sued private equity-backed anesthesia staffing company USAP, accusing it of illegally monopolizing the Texas market over 10 years.
-
FTC alleges USAP's acquisitions of anesthesia practices led to egregious price increases for patients, tens of millions in excess costs.
-
Suit follows FTC chair Lina Khan's comments that agency would investigate anticompetitive practices among private equity-acquired companies.
-
FTC says USAP's reimbursement rates are double the median anesthesia provider rate in Texas.
-
Research shows patient costs rise after private equity firms acquire physician practices, including 26% increase for anesthesia after buyouts.
![](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_nbcnews-fp-1024-512,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2023-09/230921-us-anesthesia-partners-corp-office-google-maps-ac-600p-0111fc.jpg)