Below is an article that is the best news those in favor of free market health care reform could hope for.
Depsite the move being retaliation against the insurance industry's recent report on the potential impact of the Senate Finance Committee's bill on health care costs, the move is welcome. Creating an environment where insurance companies compete is the the first step toward better coverage, and lower proces. Other important changes need to be made, but none would work without this one. Here is the article:
From the Associated Press
WASHINGTON – A House committee has voted to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws as senators announced plans to take the same step.
The moves Wednesday signaled a growing determination by Democrats to punish the insurance industry for its criticism of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul agenda. The House Judiciary Committee voted 20 to 9 to repeal a 1940s law that exempted the health insurance industry from federal controls over certain antitrust violations including price-fixing.
Lawmakers said they wanted to include the legislation in a larger health care overhaul bill taking shape in the House. In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid announced plans to repeal the antitrust exemption as part of its health care legislation.
