By State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper)
In just about any industry, competition helps keep prices low for consumers.
The health care industry, for one, has seen several mergers in Indiana in recent years.
In many cases, these mergers have led to there being less health care options in our communities. Then, if one company raises prices too high, Hoosiers can’t always just go elsewhere for care at a lower cost.
This year, the Indiana General Assembly passed a new law requiring health care entities to give the Indiana Attorney General's office at least a 90-day notice of a planned merger or acquisition if the assets are at least $10 million.
Senate Enrolled Act 9 is the result of a recommendation from the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force in 2023, which heard from many policy experts and stakeholders who testified that lack of competition in local health care markets has caused costs to increase throughout Indiana.
This new law will help us improve competition in the health care markets across Indiana, which over time should help lower costs for Hoosiers.
Many mergers above the $10 million threshold will not raise any legal red flags and will not stop companies from closing deals that make economic sense. However, if a deal creates a local monopoly or restricts competition, the Attorney General's office will have the information it needs to enforce existing antitrust laws.
Senate Enrolled Act 9 was signed into law by the governor in March and goes into effect on July 1.
As always, constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns they may have by filling out a "Contact Me" form on the IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Messmer website or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
