On January 28, 2003 the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission announced that their joint hearings on "Health Care and Competition Law and Policy" will begin with three days of hearings on February 26-28, 2003. The hearings will provide an introduction to basic questions about how competition works or should work to reduce costs and increase quality in health care markets, will provide a diverse array of perspectives on the health care marketplace and competition law and policy, and will detail market conditions in two health care markets(Boston, Massachusetts and Little Rock, Arkansas). The agencies noted that these hearings mark the beginning of their extended examination of the state of the health care marketplace and the roles of competition, antitrust enforcement, and consumer protection in satisfying consumer preferences for high-quality, cost-effective health care. The agencies plan to hold three to five days of hearings per month between March and October and anticipate preparing a comprehensive joint report. Reporter, comprehensive joint report.

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