A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision set a new precedent regarding federal antitrust laws and state medical agencies. The ruling means regulatory groups made up of members with private sector interests are subject to federal antitrust laws. Agencies like the Medical Association of Alabama – which is headed by several private medical practitioners – could potentially be affected. But, as Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper Weld explains, Alabama lawmakers this year were quick to shield state medical boards from the federal rule change. This has some questioning the Legislature’s reason for this move.
AL Medical Boards Could Face Scrutiny from Federal Trade Commission
