During the last several years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken an active role in antitrust enforcement in the health care industry, particularly with respect to hospital and physician group acquisitions. Last week, the FTC held a two-day public workshop to examine new trends and developments in the health care industry related to professional regulations of health care providers, health information technology, new care delivery models, quality measurements and pricing transparency and how those developments may affect competition. Health care providers should anticipate increased FTC scrutiny of these trends and how they affect health care costs, quality, access and care coordination.
