Antitrust enforcement in the healthcare industry: the expanding scope of state activity.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the landscape of state antitrust activity and review related research and policy issues. In particular, to examine state laws that attempt to immunize mergers among healthcare providers from state and federal antitrust prosecution and consent decrees issued by state attorneys general permitting healthcare providers to merge.


METHODS
State laws attempting to immunize collaborative activities from state and federal antitrust prosecution and consent decrees between state attorneys general and collaborating healthcare providers.


RESULTS
State antitrust agencies have been more willing than federal antitrust agencies to approve mergers that are contingent on the fulfillment of specific conditions that require continued oversight.


CONCLUSIONS
Research is needed to inform policymakers about the consequences of state-approved mergers on market performance.
Hellinger
F J
FJ
Center for Organization and Delivery Studies, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
D016363:Antitrust Laws; D019981:Health Care Sector / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006273:Health Facility Merger / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States