Congressional Dems Following Up On Repeal Of Health Insurers’ Antitrust Exemption

Congressional Democrats took another step today towards stripping the health insurance industry of the antitrust exemption it has enjoyed for more than six decades.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 20 to 9 to repeal the antitrust exemption health insurers have under the 1945 McCarran-Ferguson Act.  Democrats on the committee are seeking to include the repeal in the House health care reform bill that is now being put together.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced plans today to include the partial McCarran-Ferguson repeal in the Senate version of the health care reform bill.  Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing last week that was largely critical of the health insurers’ antitrust exemption. 

Democratic lawmakers have increased their scrutiny of the antitrust exemption following the health insurance industry’s criticism of health care reform efforts.

 If Congressional Democrats follow through with this effort, it is likely that the partial McCarran-Ferguson repeal will be included in the final health care package.