On January 8, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Stacy Sanders will serve as the Department’s inaugural Chief Competition Officer, a newly created role aimed at reducing healthcare and prescription drug costs by promoting competition. Ms. Sanders currently serves as a Counselor to the HHS Secretary and has overseen the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), long-term care programs, and other Medicare initiatives. Ms. Sanders will be responsible for “coordinating, identifying, and elevating opportunities across the Department to promote competition in healthcare markets” and will work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to increase health care competition through data sharing, training programs, and other initiatives. 

The HHS announcement is available here. 

Impact on General Dentistry: Studies have shown that the rise of consolidation within the healthcare industry has resulted in anti-competitive practices that can potentially harm small and independent practices. The new Chief Competition Officer will work to increase competition in the healthcare industry which could bolster the interests and viability of independent dental practices.