Which act prohibits price discrimination by sellers to protect competition?

The Robinson-Patman Act is the legislation specifically designed to prohibit price discrimination among sellers to protect competition. Enacted in 1936, this act aims to ensure that large-scale sellers do not engage in unfair pricing practices that would harm their smaller competitors. By addressing issues where sellers offer different prices to different buyers for the same product, it seeks to maintain a level playing field in the market.

This act is essential for promoting fair competition, as it prevents larger firms from using their buying power to negotiate lower prices, which could potentially result in monopolistic practices. The implications of such discrimination can lead to a less competitive marketplace, ultimately harming consumers by reducing choices and potentially increasing prices in the long run.

In contrast, the other acts mentioned, such as the Affordable Care Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, focus on areas such as health care reform, corporate governance and financial regulations, and patient privacy protections, respectively, and do not address price discrimination or competitive practices in the marketplace.