So here is a glimpse into one small part of the vast U.S. health care industry that shows the incredible difficulty government agencies have in setting accurate and fair payment rates for medical services, even when specifically directed by Congress to do so. It offers a cautionary tale for those who would put the entire health care system under government control. The players in … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Big (Medicare) Mistakes
Americans are in no mood for another health care upheaval
Published in The Los Angeles Times | PAEONIAN SPRINGS, Va. Conservatives and progressives agree that everyone should be able to get health insurance and have access to quality health care. But the divide over how to accomplish that goal is wide and deep. Progressives believe the government should make decisions about allocation of the resources in our health sector while conservatives … [Read more...] about Americans are in no mood for another health care upheaval
A Closer Look At The Drug Rebate Proposal
Last fall, I wrote in Forbes about U.S. based biotechnology manufacturer Amgen announcing it was slashing the list price of its breakthrough cholesterol-lowering drug Repatha by 60% in an effort to improve access and affordability for patients. Too many patients who had been prescribed the drug were walking away from the pharmacy empty handed because of sticker shock over … [Read more...] about A Closer Look At The Drug Rebate Proposal
Rebates And Drug Costs: What The New Proposal Would Mean
The Trump administration is trying in myriad ways to answer demands from consumers for lower prescription drug prices—a topic that got serious attention before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday where top executives of seven major drug companies testified. The president announced his “American Patients First” agenda in May, offering nearly 30 policy recommendations to … [Read more...] about Rebates And Drug Costs: What The New Proposal Would Mean
Do Democrats Want to Roll Back Consumer-Friendly Health Options?
If they said it once, they said it 200 at times. At a recent hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee (live-streamed here), the majority members repeatedly called the new Short Term Limited Duration plan option “Junk Plans.” House Committee on Energy & Commerce - Feb 13, 2019 In my testimony, I talked about the benefits these plans offer to people who are … [Read more...] about Do Democrats Want to Roll Back Consumer-Friendly Health Options?