Science & Medicine
(2009-10-21)
A Democratic drive to end the health insurance industry's exemption from antitrust laws is making headway.
Legislation to change the law that dates back to 1945 has passed through the House Judiciary Committee, 20-9. Three Republicans supported the move.
And Democrats in the Senate are hoping to follow suit. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy says the change would end what he calls "price-fixing, bid-rigging and market allocation" in health and medical malpractice insurance.
The health insurance industry, however, says it doesn't engage in anticompetitive behavior, calling the legislation a remedy for "a problem that does not exist."
The bill comes after the industry enraged Democrats with a report suggesting a Senate health care overhaul bill would raise premiums for millions who currently have insurance.
Democrats dismissed the report as politically motivated.
© Copyright 2012, Associated Press
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