Key Insights:
- Physician mergers are under increased antitrust scrutiny from entities like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ). The focus is on preventing anti-competitive behavior that can arise from consolidations by health systems, payers, and private equity firms.
- The FTC is particularly concerned about the role of private equity in healthcare, investigating its potential to drive up costs and reduce competition through serial acquisitions.
- Recent legal actions highlight the FTC’s commitment to combating anti-competitive practices, including lawsuits and settlements aimed at maintaining competition in healthcare markets.
Increased antitrust scrutiny of physician mergers aims to prevent anti-competitive practices and ensure fair competition. The role of private equity and the impact of consolidations are key areas of focus for regulatory bodies.