On March 20, 2026, FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson directed FTC staff to form a Healthcare Task Force to coordinate healthcare enforcement and advocacy efforts. The task force will focus on targeted enforcement initiatives, agencywide investigation strategies, amicus opportunities, and identifying emerging enforcement priorities. It will also seek partnerships with other federal agencies including HHS and DOJ to advance healthcare competition and consumer protection.
As this press release announces the launch of a Healthcare Task Force rather than a specific enforcement action, in-house legal teams in the healthcare industry should review vendor agreements, merger documents, and patient service contracts for antitrust compliance, data sharing provisions, and transparency requirements related to drug pricing and telemedicine services. Specifically, clauses related to merger notifications, patient referral practices, and consumer redress mechanisms should be updated to align with anticipated FTC enforcement priorities under the new task force. Agreements involving substance-abuse treatment facilities or health insurance marketing should also be reviewed for deceptive advertising prohibitions.
Entity
Federal Trade Commission
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/03/ftc-chairman-andrew-n-ferguson-launches-healthcare-task-force
Memorandum Ferguson re Healthcare Task Force
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Memorandum-Ferguson-re-Healthcare-Task-Force.pdf
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Page
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement
"FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson Launches Healthcare Task Force"
"March 20, 2026"
"Federal Trade Commission"
"directed FTC staff to form a Healthcare Task Force"
"Federal Trade Commission"
"/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Memorandum-Ferguson-re-Healthcare-Task-Force.pdf"
The FTC rescinded its 2021 Policy Statement on Breaches by Health Apps and Other Connected Devices, which had purported to apply the Health Breach Notification Rule to health apps and connected devices that collect consumer health information. The rescission follows the Commission's 2024 update to the Health Breach Notification Rule, which already covers health apps and connected devices like fitness trackers, and implements an executive order directing agencies to eliminate obsolete guidance documents. No company was charged or penalized; this is a deregulatory action.
The FTC announced it is seeking public comment on a proposed enforcement policy statement regarding personalized pricing, which is the use of personal data to set prices based on what a company believes an individual consumer is willing to spend. The statement warns that undisclosed collection or use of personal data for personalized pricing could violate the FTC Act's prohibition on unfair or deceptive practices. The Commission voted 2-0 to authorize the Federal Register notice.
The FTC issued a policy statement abandoning disparate-impact liability, stating it will no longer bring claims based on this theory. It also modified compliance obligations for several companies based on past decisions.
The FTC is seeking public comment on a proposed policy statement addressing concerns that AI companies may be manipulating AI system outputs contrary to consumer expectations for objectivity and accuracy. The statement explains that such conduct could be considered deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act. The public comment period runs until July 31, 2026.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it submitted a draft Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding online food delivery service fees to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review on April 10, 2026. The ANPRM is classified as a 'significant regulatory action' under Executive Orders 12866 and 14215, requiring review by OIRA before public issuance. This press release does not describe an enforcement action against a private entity, nor any privacy-related violations or penalties.
Attorney General William Tong of Connecticut led a bipartisan coalition of 30 state attorneys general in submitting comments to the Federal Trade Commission. The comments aim to improve collaboration between the FTC and state AGs to prevent and prosecute unfair and deceptive practices, addressing issues raised by the AMG Capital decision that may limit restitution. The coalition emphasizes the importance of joint efforts for national consumer protection.