New Wave of State Antitrust Bills Forms

Healthcare Transactions attorney John Saran was quoted in a Regulatory Compliance Watch article summarizing the slew of bills proposed by state legislatures to increase oversight of private equity deals in the healthcare industry. The article highlighted proposals in Vermont, Washington, Pennsylvania and Arizona that would authorize a state attorney general to pause a merger and expand state officials' investigative and enforcement capabilities, among other provisions. Mr. Saran told Regulatory Compliance Watch he felt concerned 2026 would bring an uptick in more aggressive bills after states largely failed to enact legislation in 2025, adding that federal efforts targeting real estate investment trusts (REITs) and insurance company roll-ups may have "put some lead in the states' pencils." One of the most consequential developments, however, could be the publication of the American Economic Liberties Project's "Independent Dental Practice Act," a model law that would, in Mr. Saran's view, "destroy the dental service organization model" in states that adopt it.

"It only applies to dentistry, but it could very easily be repurposed into other types of platforms, whether it be medical practices, behavioral health – pretty much any kind of professional practice platform," he explained. "It is one of the most aggressive proposals out there."

READ: New Wave of State Antitrust Bills Forms (Subscription required)