Huh?

In a story about Republicans and legislation that would cap pain-and-suffering awards to $250,000 we read:

Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, said he hoped there would be a full debate, because he was developing an alternative that would offer doctors tax credits to give them some relief from insurance premiums.

Mr. Durbin said his bill would also curb the insurance industry's exemption from antitrust laws — a move that a number of Democrats, including Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, argued would exert downward pressure on rates.

What's this about exemption from antitrust laws? Is this another industry that's sheltered from competition-encouraging regulation?

posted by Quiddity at 7/06/2003 07:50:00 AM