HC Reform Update from Mark Sanna: This week, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz told a meeting of health industry representatives that his agency would explore an "expedited review process" for hospitals and doctors looking to determine if new partnerships they form to provide care would violate antitrust laws. A key part of the new health law encourages the development of "accountable care organizations" that would allow doctors to team up with each other and with hospitals, in new ways, to provide medical services. Health care providers want to make sure their ACOs won’t be accused of stifling competition or trying to fix prices when they bargain with insurance companies. Insurers, meanwhile, are expressing concern that providers could use the leverage of ACOs to demand higher prices.