AMA enacts policies to ensure consumer access to affordable, quality health care.
+ Regulatory
Jamie Barrand | Nov 19, 2015

AMA enacts policies to ensure consumer access to affordable, quality health care

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently put in place new regulations to enhance consumers' ability to have access to health care in the insurance marketplace that is both affordable and of high quality. The new policy, green-lighted during the AMA's interim meeting, requires the federal government to take a closer look at the nation's health insurance industry consolidation over the last five to 10 years before it permits any more health insurance companies to merge.

“The AMA strongly opposes mergers that would erode competition and result in patients and employers paying higher premiums, and force physicians to accept unfair terms,” Dr. Barbara McAneny, past chair of AMA, said. “We urge the federal government to prohibit any mergers that would limit patient choice in selecting health insurance plans to meet their care needs or impede physicians from providing their patients with the quality care they deserve.”

The policy passage came on the heels of a letter the AMA sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ), urging on the agency to deny Aetna’s proposed acquisition of Humana and Anthem’s proposed acquisition of Cigna. Those mergers, AMA officials contend, could negatively impact patients and physicians alike because they would decrease competition in as many as 154 metropolitan markets across 23 states.

“The AMA will continue to advocate on behalf of consumers and physicians to protect them from health insurance premium increases, lower plan quality and a reduction in the quantity and quality of physician services,” McAneny said.

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