Drug Imports Will Get Tariffs
The Trump administration is preparing to levy tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals within the next month or two. This is after drugs got a reprieve recently. Lobbies for the generic and biosimilar industries say tariffs could deepen existing drug shortages, raise prices, and harm patient access.
In addition, the Department of Commerce has launched an investigation to assess the impact of pharmaceutical imports on U.S. national security.
Additional articles: https://insidehealthpolicy.com/inside-drug-pricing-daily-news/commerce-says-pharmaceutical-tariffs-coming-next-month-or-two and https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/federal-government-launches-probe-on-drug-imports-5-notes/
#tariffs #healthcare #drugpricing
UnitedHealth Antitrust Suit Goes To Arbitration
The Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit aimed at blocking UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys will go to mediation. The government alleges that United’s purchase of Amedisys would create an anti-competitive environment in the home health industry given its existing assets.
Additional article: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/legal/unitedhealth-amedisys-antitrust-lawsuit-doj-mediation
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#antitrust #doj #unitedhealthcare #homecare
Physician Pay Jumps
Medscape’s latest physician compensation report finds that average physician pay rose 3.6% between 2023 and 2024, from $363,000 to $376,000. This is about what happened in recent years, but well behind increases from before the pandemic. The survey also breaks out average salaries by specialty.
#physicians #healthcare
Hospitals Challenge HHS DSH Denials
Nearly 150 hospitals filed lawsuits alleging a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) board wrongfully denied appeals related to Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments. The DSH grants help support patients with many low-income patients.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#hospitals #hhs #payments
https://www.modernhealthcare.com/legal/dsh-payment-lawsuits-hhs
— Marc S. Ryan
