U.S. Chamber Calls Doctors' Cartel A Bad Prescription for Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce warned today that allowing doctors to form cartels would drive up the cost of health care, cut down on patient options and reduce employers' ability to offer an affordable health care benefit to their workers.

"Giving doctors more power to form cartels is a bad prescription for American health care," said Bruce Josten, Chamber Executive Vice President. "If doctors have the ability to collude with other providers, it will drive up costs and premiums.

"Calling the bill the "Quality Health-Care Coalition Act" is Orwellian, because giving doctors virtually unfettered power to set prices or boycott products will not improve health care treatment for patients – especially those who lose coverage because of increased costs," Josten added.

One group of unionized doctors – who wouldn't even be affected by this measure – already organized a boycott against a pharmaceutical company for opposing this bill. Coercive actions like these demonstrate how this bill is an anti-competitive measure that will hurt consumers, Josten noted.

"Health care costs are high enough without Congress making it easier for doctors to drive up costs further, faster," said Josten. "As costs rise, companies drop coverage or ask workers to contribute more through payroll deductions or out-of-pocket payments every time they see a doctor."

Millions of Americans lack any health insurance coverage, according to the Chamber. Congress should look for ways to expand coverage and improve patient access before expanding the rights of doctors.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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