CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/Eric Wohlschlegel
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Thursday, March 7, 2002

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The United States Chamber of Commerce warned today that allowing doctors to band together to negotiate with insurance companies for higher fees will drive up patients’ costs, cut down their options, and reduce employers’ ability to offer an affordable health care benefit to their workers.

 

“Giving doctors more power to form cartels is a bad prescription for American health care,” said Kate Sullivan, Chamber director of health care policy.  "If doctors have the ability to collude in the dark of night with other providers, it will drive up costs and premiums.” 

 

Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Bob Barr (R-GA) have introduced a bill that would exempt doctors from anti-trust laws that protect consumers from illegal price-fixing.

 

“Giving doctors greater power to collaborate to boost their fees will not improve treatment options for patients -- especially those who lose access or health plan coverage because of increased costs,” Sullivan said.  “Health care inflation is high enough without Congress making it easier for doctors to drive up costs further, faster.”

 

The cost of providing health insurance is a significant expense for employers.  As costs rise, companies scale back or even drop coverage or require employees to contribute a larger portion of the cost.  And, as employees’ costs rise, overall participation declines, raising the number of uninsured and raising the cost for those who remain. 

 

Millions of Americans lack any health insurance coverage, according to the Chamber.  Congress should look for ways to expand coverage and improve patient access before expanding the rights of doctors.

 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

 

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