Attorney General William Tong and Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney announced a forum examining how healthcare consolidation affects health equity, with former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan joining them for a featured discussion in Hartford.

The Forum on the Impact of Healthcare Consolidation on Health Equity will take place January 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Lyceum on Lawrence Street, bringing together policymakers, advocates, healthcare professionals, patients, and community members from across Connecticut.

Discussions will focus on the changing healthcare landscape, including the role of private equity, state and federal enforcement, and potential policy responses aimed at protecting patients and preserving access to care. Attorney General Tong said, “Connecticut knows all too well what can go terribly wrong when consolidation robs communities of healthcare options and private equity is allowed to strip-mine local healthcare. Connecticut can and should strengthen oversight and transparency around these transactions and acquisitions. I thank former FTC Chair Lina Khan for lending her visionary expertise and Senator Looney for his partnership on this forum as we head into the legislative session.”

The forum will also include perspectives from state leaders, hospital executives, economists, regulators, and health policy experts representing Connecticut and neighboring states. Senator Looney emphasized the importance of patient-centered care, saying, “Health care management and regulation should not be under the control of entities whose primary motivation is profit and not the provision of excellent care. I thank Attorney General Tong for his initiative in convening this valuable and timely forum to highlight best practices and the dangers of regarding health care as merely another commercial commodity to be manipulated and marketed to enhance shareholder value.”

Additional participants include Comptroller Sean Scanlon, leaders from the Connecticut Health Foundation, Bristol Hospital, Health Equity Solutions, the Office of Health Strategy, and national policy organizations, underscoring the forum’s broad focus on health equity and oversight. Attendance is free but registration is required, visit https://forms.office.com/g/eCCc25h2uW to learn more.