Consumers First Submits Comment to FTC and DOJ on Draft Merger Guidelines

Consumers First’s Steering Committee–American Academy of Family Physicians, American Benefits Council, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Families USA, and the Purchaser Business Group on Health–submitted comments to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission on the Draft Merger Guidelines, which explain how the agencies will review transactions and identify mergers that will substantially lessen competition.

The comment letter expands on the following recommendations:

• Ensure that federal anti-trust laws are fully applied to cross-market mergers in the health care sector
• When evaluating a proposed merger, consider its potential impact on patient access to high-quality care and health outcomes