UnitedHealth CEO Admits Frustration Is Understandable
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty published an opinion piece in The New York Times today where he acknowledged the rage that has surfaced in the aftermath of the death of his deputy. Witty said health plans play a role in the issues. Witty stated: “We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people’s frustrations with it.”
Oscar Health CEO Mark Bertolini, who once ran Aetna before its merger with CVS Health, also said that anger at the healthcare system is “justified.” Bertolini says he would eliminate employer-sponsored insurance because employers have little leverage. He thinks that migrating to individual coverage would be better. Oscar is focused on the individual market.
While I understand Witty’s statement in light of what occurred, I think insurers are an actor in a very dysfunctional system. Health plans alone are not the culprits. See my blog here: https://www.healthcarelabyrinth.com/i-am-shocked-by-the-vitriol-post-unitedhealthcare-executives-assassination/
In other news, Pro Publica obtained a UnitedHealthcare playbook that seeks to limit the coverage of autism.
Additional articles: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/insurance/unitedhealth-group-andrew-witty-brian-thompson-nyt-op-ed and https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5039515-oscar-health-ceo-employer-healthcare-unitedhealthcare-shooting/?tbref=hp and https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5039630-unitedhealth-ceo-defends-healthcare/ and https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/unitedhealth-strategically-limiting-access-critical-treatment-kids-autism
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#unitedhealthcare #oscar #tragedy
Congress Closer To Deal On Government Funding
Congress is coming closer to a deal to fund government in the short-term. The proposal includes a number of healthcare policy reforms. The bill would include a two-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities and a one-year extension of pre-deductible coverage of telehealth for high-deductible health plans linked to health savings accounts. The package also is likely to include a five-year extension of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ hospital-at-home waiver.
The deal also includes a physician pay bump and an alternative payment model bonus and some additional funding for community health centers.
Congress will pay for additions with a five-month extension of the Medicare sequester, commercial pharmacy benefit manager transparency (PBM), and banning Medicaid PBM spread pricing.
Additional article: https://insidehealthpolicy.com/inside-drug-pricing-daily-news/lobbyists-say-year-end-health-deal-may-include-2-year-telehealth-5
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#crs #governmentshutdown #congress
U.S. Population In Poorer Health In Senior Years
Americans spend more of their years in poor health than any other country, says an American Medical Association study. It says people with illness for 12.4 years on average – up from 10.9 years in 2000.
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#aging #healthcare #medicare #medicareadvantage
Various Drug Price News
AstraZeneca has agreed to apply a $35 out-of-pocket cap to its next-generation, near-zero carbon inhalers once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves them. Both AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline are readying for regulatory approval of the climate-friendly inhalers.
In other news, five of the 10 drugs with the most substantial net price increases in 2023 were not supported by additional evidence to support a price hike, according to the Institute of Clinical and Economic Review (ICER).
Last, Public Citizen says patent abuses by drug makers of four of the first 10 drugs selected for Medicare price negotiations could cost CMS up to $5.4 billion in lost savings. It wants a crackdown on the issue. It wants patent thicket reform in the lame-duck bill.
Additional article: https://insidehealthpolicy.com/daily-news/icer-report-drug-price-increases-lack-increased-evidence-benefit and https://insidehealthpolicy.com/inside-drug-pricing-daily-news/public-citizen-cms-fight-patent-evergreening-ira-price-setting
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#drugpricing #branddrugmakers #fda
— Marc S. Ryan
