Certificates of Public Advantage (also known as “COPAs”) are regulatory regimes adopted by state governments that are intended to displace competition among healthcare providers. COPAs purport to immunize mergers and collaborations from antitrust scrutiny under the state action doctrine. Hospital mergers subject to COPAs can result in higher prices for patients without improvements in quality of care, reduced patient access to healthcare services, and lower wages for hospital employees who face fewer employment options. Learn more about our efforts and the history behind COPAs below.
FTC staff presents important research and information about COPAs in this policy paper. Read more.