Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce H.R. 1409, the ``Quality Health Care Coalition Act of 2011.'' This bill will strengthen patient safety and quality of care by clarifying the application…
Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce H.R. 1409, the ``Quality Health Care Coalition Act of 2011.'' This bill will strengthen patient safety and quality of care by clarifying the application of the antitrust laws to negotiations between groups of health care professionals and health plans and health care insurance issuers.
Currently, the insurance industry, including health care insurance companies, is immune from federal antitrust laws under the McCarran- Ferguson Act. In contrast, health care providers can presently be prohibited from collectively negotiating against insurance companies. Accordingly, the playing field is terribly unbalanced.
At a hearing the House Committee on the Judiciary held last Congress on the disparate treatment of physicians and health insurers by the antitrust enforcement agencies, I heard troubling testimony revealing that health care providers find themselves in an untenable situation. On the one hand, they are directed to find new efficiencies and coordinate care with other providers. On the other hand, they risk running afoul of the antitrust laws if they coordinate too closely.
To level the playing field, I am pleased to join Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) in introducing bipartisan legislation to allow health care providers the ability to collectively negotiate against insurance companies. The Quality Health Care Coalition Act of 2011 will give health care providers the ability to collectively negotiate contractual terms with insurers, including provisions that affect the quality of patient care.
By balancing the playing field between health care professionals and insurance companies, this legislation will help improve quality of patient care.
