This legislation mandates the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) within the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an annual, 10-year study on health care competition and consolidation at the State level. ASPE is required to consult with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division to inform this comprehensive analysis. This ongoing study aims to provide critical insights into the evolving landscape of healthcare markets across the nation. The study requires extensive data collection on key metrics affecting market dynamics and consumer choice, including licensing requirements for practitioners and tracking mergers and acquisitions across various provider types. It will also assess the prevalence of State laws like certificates of public advantage and certificates of need , analyze the availability of alternative health insurance options, and monitor market concentration using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index . Annual reports detailing the study's findings must be submitted to Congress and publicly published on ASPE's website, along with the collected data, to ensure transparency and provide accessible information.