Fourth Session of FTC/DOJ Health Care and Competition Law and Policy Hearings to Be Held April 23-25

The fourth session of the Federal Trade Commission/Department of Justice joint hearings on health care and competition law and policy will begin on Wednesday, April 23, 2003, at 9:15 a.m. The hearings will be held daily on April 23, 24, and 25 from 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the FTC Conference Center at 601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The agenda for the session is available at http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/healthcarehearings/ and at http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/hchearing.htm.

Persons unable to attend this session of hearings may call in. The call-in information is as follows:

Wednesday, April 23, 2003: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Dial-in: 1-800-473-8693
Confirmation Number: 16537003
Chairperson: Bruce Jennings

Thursday, April 24, 2003: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Dial-in: 1-800-597-0731
Confirmation Number: 16537008
Chairperson: Bruce Jennings

Friday, April 25, 2003: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Dial-in: 1-888-869-0374
Confirmation Number: 16537062
Chairperson: Bruce Jennings

On Wednesday, April 23, 2003, two panels will discuss health insurance monopoly issues. The morning session will address the relevant product market in the health insurance setting and whether it differs in material ways from the principles of market definition applied in other industries. The afternoon session will explore the range of potential competitive effects theories that might predict higher prices or diminished quality following a health insurance merger.

On Thursday, April 24, 2003, the morning panel discussion will examine entry, expansion, and product repositioning in the health insurance industry, as well as possible efficiencies arising out of insurance plan mergers. The afternoon session will discuss health insurance monopsony - substantial market power being exercised by buyers over sellers.

On Friday, April 25, 2003, participants will examine how health insurance monopsony can affect providers when health insurers merge.