Prohibiting Common Ownership of Health Insurers and Medicare Providers
This act aims to prevent health insurance companies and certain Medicare healthcare providers from being under common ownership. The goal is to foster competition and potentially lower healthcare costs for citizens by ensuring that treatment decisions are not influenced by insurer interests.
Key points
Health insurance companies and certain healthcare providers (excluding hospitals, pharmacies, and medical equipment suppliers) cannot be owned by the same entity.
Entities violating this prohibition must divest one part of their business within 1-2 years of the act's enactment or acquisition date.
Federal and state authorities can take legal action, order cessation of violations, and disgorge revenues, which will be used for the healthcare needs of affected communities.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will oversee divestitures and review their impact on competition and public interest.
Introduced
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_2836
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Process start date: 2025-09-17