[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT ACT 
                                OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009. Both the 
House and Senate today have introduced identical language to reduce 
insurance prices for consumers. I want to thank my friend Senator Leahy 
for his leadership on the bill and for working with the House on this 
joint introduction.
  I am joined in my efforts on the House side by the honorable Chairman 
of the Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, Representative 
Hank Johnson of Georgia, and Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado.
  The purpose of this bill is to extend antitrust enforcement over 
health insurers and medical malpractice insurance issuers, which 
currently enjoy broad antitrust immunity under the McCarran-Ferguson 
Act. This immunity can serve as a shield for activities that might 
otherwise violate federal law.
  This bill would specifically prohibit price fixing, bid rigging, and 
market allocation, pernicious practices that are detrimental to 
competition and result in higher prices for consumers.
  The House Judiciary Committee held extensive hearings on the effects 
of the insurance industry's antitrust exemption throughout the 1980s 
and early 1990s. It became clear that policyholders and the economy in 
general would benefit from eliminating this exemption.
  The bill I introduce today is intended to root out unlawful activity 
in an industry grown complacent by decades of protection from antitrust 
oversight. In doing so, we aim to make health insurance more affordable 
to more Americans.

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