Mide-week update

The Senate is returning to Capitol Hill to consider competing shutdown resolution bills tomorrow.  The Wall Street Journal tracks shutdown stories here. The FEHBlog for what it's worth thinks the shutdown will end next week, but don't take that to the bank. The FEHBlog does wonder why Congress does not create a separate unemployment insurance program for federal employees due to these harmful quirks in the federal employment system.

Here are a few tidbits that caught the FEHBlog's eye over the past couple days:

• The PwC Health Research Institute, per Healthcare Dive, released an upbeat report on 2019 trends in the healthcare industry.  For example, 

"With the average health insurance deductible triple what it was a decade ago, PwC believes 2019 could also be the year for value line products and services — àla the Southwest Airlines approach. Denver-based Ardás Family Medicine and Cityblock Health in New York City are examples of startups that are offering lower-cost delivery models."

• The American Hospital Association joined by other healthcare organizations offered a proposal to improve interoperability of electronic medical records. Ten years ago, Congress decided to fund electronic medical records to the tune of $34 billion without considering interoperability which was a recognized government priority then as well as now. What a wasted opportunity!

• Becker's Hospital Review reports that United Healthcare filed an antitrust lawsuit against "over 40" generic drug manufacturers.  The complaint alleges illegal price fixing practices involving 300 generic drugs.

• Reuters reports that Walgreen's agreed with the Justice Department to settle a civil False Claims Act lawsuit based on Epipen billing practices. The settlement totaled nearly $270 million. Lawfuel provides details on the case here.