The Federal Trade Commission Enters a New Arena: Health Services

Abstract

In 1975, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commenced an investigation into four major health-related areas: AMA policy on physician advertising, control of health-provider supply, solo-practice physicians as inhibitors of HMO development, and the relative value scale (RVS) as a form of collusive fee setting. The current status of FTC activities in these four areas is variable, to some extent confidential, and represents a new interface between the federal government and the medical profession.Physicians, justifiably concerned over rising costs and the need to emphasize quality of care at low cost, may wonder if it is appropriate for the FTC, created . . .