FTC’s New Healthcare Task Force: Implications for Industry Participants

On March 20, Andrew N. Ferguson, chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), announced that the FTC is forming a Healthcare Task Force aimed at combating anticompetitive behavior in the sector and to advance President Donald Trump’s executive order to create a “more competitive, innovative, affordable, and higher quality healthcare system.” The task force, which will meet at least monthly and provide reports to the chairman quarterly, will comprise representatives from the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Bureau of Economics, Office of Policy Planning and Office of Technology, and its launch underscores the aggressive approach the FTC and the administration have taken to antitrust enforcement in the healthcare sector.

The Task Force: Background

The announcement of the task force comes on the heels of several notable healthcare-related FTC actions that concluded during the first half of the second Trump administration. In January 2026, the FTC won its litigation challenge to Edwards Lifesciences’ proposed $945 million acquisition of JenaValve. In February 2026, Express Scripts and the FTC settled a lawsuit alleging Express Scripts artificially inflated the list price of insulin drugs; this resulted in Express Scripts adopting fundamental changes to its business practices that increase transparency and expectations of lower drug prices. And, in March 2026, Alcon and Lensar abandoned their proposed ~$356 million merger after an FTC inquiry. These enforcement actions reflect the FTC’s current aggressive approach to antitrust and consumer protection in the healthcare sector.

The new task force will focus on addressing “existing and emerging consumer-protection and competition issues across the healthcare industry.” Chairman Ferguson identified the following functions of the task force:

1. Identify and lead targeted enforcement and advocacy initiatives focused on key priorities within the healthcare space.
2. Devise coherent agency-wide strategies on new and nascent investigations,
3. Institute a proactive and strategic approach to identifying amicus and statement of interest opportunities.
4. Identify emerging issues and new priority areas for enforcement and advocacy.

In addition to these four directives, the task force’s mandate also includes expanding its membership to include the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agencies with relevant expertise. The objective is to instill a “comprehensive, coordinated, and effective approach” to healthcare enforcement in the U.S.

What the Task Force Means for Healthcare Companies

The launch of the task force reinforces the idea that the FTC and the broader administration are committed to aggressive enforcement in the healthcare sector at a time when costs to consumers are front and center. While announcing the task force, Chairman Ferguson noted that consolidation and anticompetitive conduct has resulted in “higher prices, decreased quality, less access and transparency, and stifled innovation,” particularly for rural communities, seniors and veterans. Accordingly, healthcare companies should be vigilant in abiding by all regulatory (e.g., FTC or DOJ) guidance and support innovation by promoting competitive markets.

Paul Hastings will continue to provide updates on the task force.

The FTC’s press release can be found here.