Senator Lieberman Seeks Repeal of Health Insurers' Antitrust Exemption

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) joined Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) today in introducing an amendment that would revoke health insurers' and medical malpractice insurers' existing exemption from federal antitrust laws that prohibit anti-competitive conduct such as price fixing, bid rigging, and market allocations.

"There is no reason that health insurers should be exempt from our federal antitrust laws," said Lieberman. "Anti-competitive conduct that reduces consumer choice and drives up prices is harmful to consumers and should be subject to the full range of federal remedies to end such practices. I am pleased to cosponsor this amendment that will promote competition, increase consumer choice, and lead to more affordable health insurance for those in Connecticut and throughout the country."

State insurance commissioners will continue to be allowed to permit data sharing as needed to enable small companies to compete in the insurance marketplace and further encourage competition.