Weekend update

Congress remains in session this week on Capitol Hill. As Politico reports, the Trump Administration continues to negotiate with Congressional leaders on a two year budget and debt limit increase deal as the August recess grows nearer.

Health Payer Intelligence offers some perspective on the House vote last week to repeal the Affordable Care Act's high cost plan tax. The Stop the HIT Coalition commended the House vote while urging Congress also to further suspend or repeal the ACA's health insurer tax ("HIY"). Healthcare Dive notes that "Insurers are expected to increase premiums by roughly 2% to recoup the cost of the tax as they face an estimated $16 billion fee next year, according to consultancy Oliver Wyman."  Here's a link to the Oliver Wyman report.

Fierce Healthcare informs us that "The National Quality Forum and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association have teamed up to launch a new playbook aimed at growing access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction." Check it out at this link.