1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

The Stop Anticompetitive Healthcare Act of 2023 aims to empower the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to challenge anticompetitive practices by nonprofit hospital organizations and cooperative hospital service organizations. This legislation recognizes the significant market power these entities wield and their potential to undermine healthcare quality and affordability through unchecked consolidation and monopolistic behavior. Mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare sector have been on the rise, often resulting in higher prices for consumers while delivering limited improvements in care quality or accessibility. By subjecting nonprofit hospitals to antitrust scrutiny, this bill seeks to safeguard competition, protect consumer interests, and maintain high standards in the healthcare industry. Empowering the FTC to intervene in anticompetitive conduct by these influential players aligns with the overarching goal of prioritizing people over profits within the healthcare system. The request at hand advocates for the passage of this Act, as it represents a crucial step towards fostering a more competitive and equitable healthcare landscape. Empowering regulatory bodies to address monopolistic practices can help preserve choice, improve quality, and keep healthcare costs in check for the benefit of all Americans. Curbing the unchallenged consolidation of hospital networks is essential to upholding the principles of a well-functioning, consumer-oriented healthcare market.