FTC Closes Investigation of Univar
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently closed its investigation of Univar, Inc. The FTC investigated whether Univar or other manufacturers or distributors of bleach had violated Section 5 of the FTC Act by allocating customers or coordinating price or output. EI economists Barry C. Harris and Lona Fowdur worked with attorneys from White & Case to show that Univar had not engaged in anticompetitive conduct and no action by the FTC was necessary.
EI Economists Named to Positions in the Antitrust Section
Three EI economists have been named to leadership positions in the Antitrust Section of the American Bar Association. Philip B. Nelson was named Co-Chair of the Health Care and Pharmaceuticals Committee. Henry B. McFarland was reappointed Vice-Chair of the Insurance and Financial Services Committee. Su Sun was reappointed Senior Editor of The Antitrust Law Journal, a flagship publication of the Section. The Antitrust Section is an organization of over 13,000 antitrust professionals that was formed to promote analysis, debate, and education in the field of antitrust law and policy.
PID Approves Highmark-West Penn Affiliation
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) recently approved Highmark’s affiliation agreement with West Penn Allegheny Health System. The agreement created a major integrated delivery network in the Pittsburgh area. The PID investigated possible competitive effects of the agreement, the impact on competitors and the extent efficiencies from the agreement would affect healthcare and insurance rates. EI economists Barry C. Harris, Stephanie M. Mirrow and Allison I. Holt, working with attorneys from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, showed that the Highmark-West Penn agreement would facilitate significant cost savings and increase competition in hospital and insurance markets.