Warren & Others Accuse Anesthesiology Giant of Anticompetitive Practices

In a scathing letter addressed to Robert Coward, the chief executive of one of the nation’s largest anesthesiology firms, U.S. Anesthesia Partners (USAP), Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are calling out the company for alleged unfair business practices. Citing reporting by The Washington Post and referencing a federal lawsuit, the senators accuse USAP of engaging in anticompetitive practices, manipulating prices, and prioritizing profit at the expense of patients and doctors.

The senators’ letter, sent on Sunday, demands comprehensive information from USAP regarding its pricing strategies, executive salaries, investor payouts, and the acquisition of competitors. According to Warren and Blumenthal, USAP is emblematic of the problems associated with private equity’s involvement in the healthcare system, raising concerns about the impact on patient care and the ethical standards of the industry.

“USAP has engaged in anticompetitive practices that appeared to be designed to jack up prices and suck up as much profit as possible, with detrimental effects to patients and doctors,” wrote the senators in their letter, expressing particular concern over the company’s alleged monopoly power in Colorado and its impact on prices for insurers and patients.

Tony Good, a spokesman for USAP, vehemently disputed the claims made in the senators’ letter. In a statement, Good asserted that the letter “contains many inaccuracies and greatly misrepresents our organization.” He defended USAP as a physician-owned, patient-centric organization committed to providing high-quality care and advancing the field of anesthesiology. Good highlighted that the company’s quality programs have been independently reviewed and deemed among the best.

The accusations against USAP bring attention to broader issues surrounding the role of private equity in the healthcare sector. Critics argue that such involvement can lead to profit-driven decision-making that may compromise patient care. As the federal lawsuit and the senators’ investigation unfold, the spotlight on USAP intensifies, prompting questions about the need for increased transparency and accountability within the anesthesiology industry and the broader healthcare landscape.

Source: Washington Post