FTC Staff Comment Regarding Oregon Senate Bill 231A, Which Includes Language Intended To Provide Federal Antitrust Immunity To Conversations, Information Exchanges, and Agreements Among Participants (Including Competitors) In Oregon's Health Care Markets

FTC staff submitted a comment, in response to a request by Oregon State Senator Chip Shields, expressing concern that a broad antitrust exemption proposed in Oregon Senate Bill 231A for health care collaborations was unnecessary because antitrust law already permits such efforts that benefit consumers. While staff commended the underlying goal of the bill – to study and improve the delivery of primary care services to Oregon health care consumers, and to promote new collaborations among Oregon health care providers, payers, and other industry participants – the letter maintained that the broad purported antitrust exemption was based on misunderstandings about application of the antitrust laws to such endeavors. “FTC staff respectfully suggests that the proposed Bill is likely to lead to increased health care costs and decreased access to health care services for Oregon consumers.”