Association seeks repeal of antitrust exemption

Washington鈥擳he Association urged repeal of the health insurance antitrust exemption as the U.S. House of Representatives prepared to vote on a measure that two freshmen members say would “end special treatment for the insurance industry.”

House leaders responded quickly to the offer of Reps. Betsy Markey (D-Colo.) and Tom Perriello (D-Va.) to pick up where the stalled health care reform effort left off by introducing legislation to repeal the 64-year insurance exemption from antitrust laws under the McCarran-Ferguson Act. Theirs was the first attempt to revive a piece of the health care reform package, and they described repeal as “a common priority.”

It’s a long-standing Association priority as well, and ADA leaders encouraged Association members and House leadership support for repeal.

“The ADA believes that health care consumers are adversely affected by the McCarran-Ferguson Act exemption from federal antitrust laws,” ADA President Ron Tankersley said in an ADA member action alert. “When insurance companies are permitted to work jointly, consumers are less likely to see as much innovation and variety in the marketplace as they would in an atmosphere of robust competition for their business.

“Dentists, their patients, and the public at large are all victims of McCarran-Ferguson’s negative impact on competition among entities in the insurance industry and would benefit from its repeal,” Dr. Tankersley said in the Feb. 4, 2010 action alert.

ADA leaders also advised House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) of the Association’s “strong support” for repeal. “On behalf of dentists and their patients throughout the country, we ask that you continue your efforts…to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act exemption for insurance companies,” the ADA president, Dr. Tankersley, and executive director, Dr. Kathleen O’Loughlin, said in a Jan. 29, 2010 letter to Speaker Pelosi.