With their sweeping healthcare reform bill on hold, House Democrats plan to revive a sliver of the legislation that would repeal an antitrust exemption for insurance companies. The Democrats say repealing the federal antitrust exemption would drive insurance prices down in regions where one health insurer dominates. Insurers say they already face tight regulation by the states, and the practical impact of the move is uncertain, the Wall Street Journal reports. Supporters of the overhaul have made some attempts to link the health bill to job creation, pointing out that expanding insurance would spur hiring in the health sector, the Journal reports.
