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Congressman Doggett: Protecting Consumers And Fostering Competition Are American Values; The Health Care Industry Should Have To Compete Too

Statement

Date: Feb. 25, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

Congressman Doggett: Protecting Consumers And Fostering Competition Are American Values; The Health Care Industry Should Have To Compete Too

Twenty-seven years ago, as a young Texas State Senator, I authored the "Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act," but because of the federal exemption for the health insurance industry, I was unable to address their anticompetitive practices. In Texas alone, we have seen health insurance premiums increase by 104% since 2000. Today, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, I spoke of the importance of protecting consumers and fostering competition by holding the health insurance industry accountable to the same antitrust regulations as other industries. My hope is that President Obama will correct a major omission from his health legislation by adding this vital reform. It's time for competition. It's time to open markets and block closed-door collusion.


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