A Perspective on the Nation's Antitrust Policies: Implications for Psychologists

In response to significant change in the health care market, federal antitrust agencies recently examined their past policies and future directions for antitrust law enforcement in the health care industry. This article reviews how the federal antitrust laws have been used to both aid and restrict the practice of psychology, psychologists' dealings with managed care, and the limits of antitrust law enforcement efforts. Finally, we argue that narrowly crafted antitrust reform would provide practicing psychologists and other health professionals with some degree of countervailing bargaining power in their negotiations with managed care.