Antitrust Laws Unfair to M.D.s

Dr. Goin responds:

As active as APA is in the realm of public policy, it is difficult for any one column or article to mention all of our efforts to advance psychiatry and the care of our patients. I am grateful to Dr. Abramson for the opportunity to reiterate APA’s role in supporting necessary changes to our nation’s antitrust laws.

For several years now, APA has worked in collaboration with the American Medical Association and other medical societies for passage of specific legislation to enable physicians to deal effectively with insurers—and without fear of violating antitrust laws. Our most recent lobbying effort is on behalf of HR 1120, the Health Care Antitrust Improvements Act of 2003, which would give physicians greater power in negotiating with insurance companies.

As Dr. Abramson says, correcting the law is an uphill battle, but APA is firm in its commitment to this bill, which now has 15 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. I will update you as APA secures more cosponsors and takes every step necessary to achieve a level playing field.