Warren, Blumenthal Call on Private Equity-Backed U.S. Anesthesia Partners to Answer for its Anticompetitive Tactics and Impacts on Prices, Patients, and Providers

Letter

"We have frequently raised the alarm about the deleterious impact of PE on patient care. PE's involvement in health care markets has exacerbated problems like surprise medical billing, inadequate training, and a lack of oversight and due process. One study found that "patient costs rose by 26% after anesthesiology practices were taken over by PE firms,' and PE-backed anesthesiology groups have faced allegations of short-staffing that put patients at risk."

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

"We have long argued against the use of restrictive non-compete agreements, and supported efforts by the FTC to prohibit their use. Non-compete clauses in the health care industry reduce patient access to care, increase health care costs, limit a physician's ability to negotiate, stifle competition, contribute to labor shortages, and limit the ability of workers to speak out about unfair or dangerous practices. USAP's use of these clauses, as the company rolled up more and more anesthesiology practices in the area, appears to have caused damage to patients and physicians, while helping the company amass greater market power and continue raising prices."

Source