Rep. Hank Johnson: 'Preserving & Promoting Competition in Healthcare Marketplace is Critical'

Statement

"I have long supported vigorous enforcement and promotion of competition in the healthcare marketplace for both providers and insurers," said Johnson.

"Enactment of the Affordable Care Act was recognition that competition alone did not ensure accountability in the healthcare marketplace, greater savings to consumers, or equal treatment of consumers by insurance providers. Smart healthcare regulation was critical to keeping premiums down, to ending discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions, and to ensuring the common good for millions of consumers.

"We also know that since the first open enrollment period began in October 2013 for consumer exchanges, millions of Americans who were previously uninsured now have access to affordable care.

"The Affordable Care Act has already expanded coverage, savings, and protections for millions more while promoting new competition. Not only has this increased competition arrested the growth of healthcare premiums, the influx of new plans in local markets increases the pressure on incumbent insurance issuers to moderate the costs of premiums. Preserving and promoting this competition is critical, and I encourage the antitrust enforcement agencies to do so while reviewing these proposed mergers. It is critical that we ensure that healthcare markets are delivering the best and most health care choices in every county and for every health care product in America."

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