Varney stated at a June 9, 2010, Senate hearing on “Oversight of the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws” that she appreciated the support the Obama administration was offering in efforts to eliminate antitrust immunity for the health-insurance industry. At another conference in May, where she spoke with the American Bar Association, Varney had similar things to say about the health insurance industry, including how she fully supported the House’s vote to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act. She supports competition in the health insurance field and the outlawing of price fixing, big rigging and market allocation.

The Automotive Service Association supports repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act for all insurers, including property and casualty insurers. H.R. 1583, the Insurance Industry Competition Act, sponsored by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation addresses ASA’s concerns with the McCarran-Ferguson Act.