Addressing Anti-Competitive Health Care Contract Clauses Act

This bill tells the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study certain contract rules used between health insurers and health care providers that may limit competition, like anti-steering, anti-tiering, all-or-nothing, and gag clauses. GAO must work with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to look at how these rules affect health care mergers, the prices people pay for medical care, and how easily consumers can get care.

The report must also list what the FTC and DOJ have already done about these contract rules, judge whether those agencies have the staff and tools they need to enforce antitrust laws, and suggest if more resources are needed. The study must be finished within 18 months after the bill becomes law.

Key points:

• Who is affected: consumers (patients), health insurers, and health care providers.
• What changes: a GAO study with input from FTC and DOJ on the impact of anti-steering, anti-tiering, all-or-nothing, and gag clauses; a list of agency actions; and recommendations on resources to enforce the law.
• When: the report is due within 18 months of enactment.