House Votes to Repeal Antitrust Exemption for Insurers - March 2, 2010

On February 24, the House of Representatives voted 406 to 19 to repeal a longstanding exemption for health insurance companies from federal antitrust laws. The effort is aimed at increasing scrutiny of the industry and curbing rising insurance rates. The CBO, however, has suggested that a repeal would have little effect on the industry, as most states already conduct insurance industry oversight. The bipartisan vote, which occurred on the eve of the President’s health reform summit, offered a welcomed break from the partisan politics surrounding the adoption of comprehensive health reform. The measure, however, faces the threat of a filibuster in the Senate, which has yet to schedule a vote on the legislation. The text of the House bill can be found here.