Rep. Van Hollen Urges Repealing Antitrust Exemptions for Health Insurance Companies

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Washington, Oct 16, 2009 - Today Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) issued the following statement calling for an end to special advantages for health insurance companies:

“For far too long, health insurance companies have been exempted from playing by the rules that most other businesses must live by. They have abused that benefit. Now is the time to require them to abide by the same rules as everyone else. I believe it is long past time to repeal this exemption.

“By limiting the health insurance industry’s antitrust immunity, we will make sure that the federal government investigates and prosecutes health insurance companies for anti-competitive practices, including price-fixing, bid-rigging, or market allocations.

“It is part of our effort to increase competition and prevent unfair practices that allow health insurers to drive up the cost of health care. In too many States there are only one or two providers, and medical health care costs continue to rise. We are determined to pass health reform that ensures competition in the insurance industry and makes health care affordable for all Americans.”

Source: Congressman Chris Van Hollen