Competition Matters

When was your last health exam? Just as we (are supposed to) get regular check-ups from our health care providers, the FTC thinks it is smart to do a periodic check-up on the health care industry itself. Health care is a critical sector of the U.S. economy, affecting the lives of all American consumers.

As Yogi Berra reputedly said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” But that is precisely the job Congress gave to antitrust enforcers nearly 100 years ago when it passed the Clayton Act and established the Federal Trade Commission, in part, to enforce it. By its terms, the Clayton Act was designed to deal with antitrust violations before they occur, to address them in their incipiency. 

Tomorrow, the FTC will host a workshop to explore emerging issues affecting competition and consumer access to biologic medicines.

This will come as no shock to anyone familiar with the Federal Trade Commission’s policy and advocacy function: FTC staff has a long history of advocating for effective competition and consumer protection in electricity markets.

Each year, the Premerger Notification Office answers thousands of letters, phone calls, and emails regarding the Hart-Scott-Rodino rules, giving informal advice on the potential reportability of transactions and help in completing the HSR Notification and Report Form. 

With the agency’s 100th anniversary just around the corner, we’re giving the public an updated FTC.gov. The revised site provides better access to information about us and our efforts to protect consumers and promote competition. 

When we designed the site, we listened to advice from lots of regular people, as well as experts in the competition and consumer protection communities. The result? An overhauled FTC.gov that is more powerful, easy to use and attractive.