FTC Denies North Carolina Dental Board’s Motion to Dismiss Allegations That it Stifled Competition for Teeth-Whitening Services

The Federal Trade Commission denied a motion by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners to dismiss a complaint filed by the FTC’s staff which charges that the Dental Board stifled competition by blocking non-dentists from providing teeth-whitening services. The Commission issued an Opinion and Order unanimously rejecting the Dental Board’s argument that the […]

FTC Challenges LabCorp’s Acquisition of Rival Clinical Laboratory Testing Company

As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure competition in U.S. health care markets, the Federal Trade Commission today challenged Laboratory Corporation of America’s $57.5 million acquisition of rival clinical laboratory testing company Westcliff Medical Laboratories, Inc., alleging that the transaction would harm competition in Southern California. “Competition is one of the keys to keeping […]

FTC, HHS Office of Inspector General, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Announce Workshop on Issues Related to Accountable Care Organizations

On October 5, 2010, the Federal Trade Commission will co-host a workshop on several issues associated with Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), organizations authorized by the new Affordable Care Act that seek to deliver high-quality and efficient health care services to consumers. Joining the FTC in hosting the event are the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid […]

FTC Staff Opinion: Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital’s Proposed Rx Program Exempt From the Robinson-Patman Act

In a letter issued today, the staff of the Federal Trade Commission advised Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital that its proposal to provide pharmaceuticals purchased at a discount to employees of two affiliate entities is exempt from the Robinson-Patman Act, a U.S. antitrust law that prohibits anti-competitive price discrimination. The Non-Profit Institutions Act, or NPIA, creates […]

FTC Staff Opinion: Community CarePartners, Inc.’s Proposed Discount Rx Program Exempt From the Robinson-Patman Act

In a letter issued today, the staff of the Federal Trade Commission advised Community CarePartners, Inc. that its proposal to provide pharmaceuticals purchased at a discount to in-home hospice patients is exempt from the Robinson-Patman Act, a U.S. antitrust law that prohibits anticompetitive price discrimination. CarePartners asked the FTC whether it may provide discounted pharmaceuticals […]

Minnesota Health Care Provider Group Settles FTC Price Fixing Charges

A group of doctors and hospitals in southwestern Minnesota has agreed to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission that prohibits anticompetitive tactics the group allegedly used to increase health insurance reimbursement rates. Under a proposed settlement order, the Minnesota Rural Health Cooperative, or MRHC, will be prohibited from using coercion in its negotiations with […]

FTC Chairman Addresses American Medical Association

In a speech to the American Medical Association in Chicago, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz announced that the FTC will hold a public workshop this fall on health care competition policy, payment reform, and the new models for delivering health care that seek to incentivize high-quality, cost-effective care. The new health care reform law […]

FTC Staff Opinion: University of Michigans Proposed Rx Program Exempt From Robinson-Patman Act

In a letter issued today, the staff of the Federal Trade Commission advised the University of Michigan that a proposed modification to reduce costs for its drug benefit program for employees, retirees, and their dependants is exempt from the Robinson-Patman Act, a U.S. antitrust law that prohibits anti-competitive price discrimination. The Robinson-Patman Act generally prohibits […]

FTC Approves Final Settlement Orders Regarding Boulder Valley IPA and M. Catherine Higgins; Commission Submits Comments on Measuring the Performance of Electric Regional Transmission Organizations and on FERCs Method of Assessing Partial Acquisitions

FTC Approves Final Settlement Orders Regarding Boulder Valley IPA and M. Catherine Higgins Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final settlement orders in the matters of Boulder Valley Individual Practice Association (BVIPA) and its executive director, M. Catherine Higgins, and sent letters to members of the public who submitted comments […]

U.S. Court of Appeals Enforces Subpoenas in FTCs Androgel Investigation; In Separate Case, FTC Files Petition to Compel Enforcement of Subpoena Issued to Boehringer Ingelheim

The Federal Trade Commission today announced two subpoena enforcement actions challenging tactics that delay agency investigations. First, the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia affirmed a district court decision enforcing three subpoenas to videotape testimony as part of the FTC’s investigation of generic Androgel competition. In a separate matter, the FTC petitioned the […]