S. 1895, H,R, 19, and Rankings / Awards

"Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) along with Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-Ore.) yesterday announced they have reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on legislation to lower what Americans pay out of pocket for their health care."  This is a revised version of S. 1895, the bill to lower healthcare costs act. The FEHBlog as yet has not been able to lay his hands on the text or section by section summary of the revised bill.

Nevertheless, the American Hospital Association reports that according to the section by section summary, that "Insurers would be required to, at a minimum, reimburse providers for all claims subject to the balance billing prohibition at the median in-network negotiated rate for the service in that geographic area where the service was delivered. Both providers and insurers would have the right to contest claims paid at or above $750 ($25,000 for air ambulance services) using baseball-style, binding arbitration."

Bloomberg Government reports that the House minority leadership has introduced its own bill to lower drug costs without affecting the number of new drugs, H.R. 19. "The package, unveiled Monday, would create a $3,100 out-of-pocket cap in Medicare’s prescription drug benefit program. It would also take steps to spur new generic drugs and includes a laundry list of changes to Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation includes more than 40 provisions that Democrats and Republicans have previously agreed to support, Republicans say."

Modern Healthcare has released its 2019 list of most influential people on U.S. healthcare. CMS Administrator Seema Verma captured the top spot.

Healthcare Dive announced its 2019 awards. CVS CEO was named top executive.  Mr. Merlo was number 5 on the Modern Healthcare list. It's worth noting that Mr. Merlo's deputy CVS Executive VP Karen Lynch was number 6 on the Modern Healthcare list.

The United Health Foundation issued its 2019 American Health Rankings. Vermont holds the top spot and Mississippi holds the lowest. The FEHBlog's state Maryland ranks 18th.