Bachus Hearing Examines Competitive Effects of Obamacare

Statement

Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) today chaired a hearing that examined the competitive effects of Obamacare on health care providers and consumers.

"It is my belief that Obamacare - with its top down, highly regulatory approach -- will accelerate consolidation in the health care industry. Less competition in this case will mean less patient choice and decisions being made according to government dictates rather than according to the needs of consumers and the health care marketplace," said Bachus, who convened the hearing in his role as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law.

The hearing, titled "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Consolidation, and the Consequent Impact on Competition in Healthcare," featured testimony from six witnesses.

Bachus cautioned during the hearing that excessive government regulation can discourage new companies from entering a market and increasing competition and choice.

"The cost of health care is an issue that comes up on almost a daily basis in the news and certainly in conversations that I have with my constituents, especially small business owners. A way to curb these expenses and address the rising costs of government entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid is to promote a competitive health care marketplace. My concern is that the regulatory provisions in Obamacare could have the opposite effect and instead lead to more consolidation," stated Bachus.

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