Biden Administration Finalizes Medical Debt Provision
The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued finalized regulations barring medical debts on credit reports. The rule bans credit agencies from including medical debts on consumers’ credit reports and prohibit lenders from considering medical information in assessing borrowers. To me, it is very unlikely the Trump administration will seek to overturn the regulation. I support the provision. Americans with and without insurance are unfairly saddled with huge provider bills that are exorbitant and have no basis in cost or fact.
Additional article: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-policy/joe-biden-bans-medical-debt-credit-scores-cfpb-donald-trump
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#medicaldebt #providers #healthcare
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5070182-medical-debt-removed-credit-reports-cfpb
Medtech Bracing For Tariffs Under Trump
Medtech companies are bracing for imposition of tariffs (of at least 25%) on medical devices once Donald Trump takes office. This could drive costs up in the healthcare arena as a majority of devices are manufactured overseas. The industry also says this could impact innovation. The industry could also rethink supply chains and where devices are manufactured. Some have already done so.
The tariffs could be imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China. All manufacture medical devices. About 75% of medical devices marketed in the U.S. are manufactured outside of the country, including 13.6% of them in China.
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#healthcare #spending #tariffs #trump
Aetna Sues Drug Makers Over Price-Fixing
Atena is suing nearly two dozen pharmaceutical companies arguing they colluded to limit competition and increased generic medication costs. Aetna is one of many suing drug makers. It says pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer and Teva Pharmaceuticals collaborated through secret communications and meetings to fix the prices of certain generic medications.
#aetna #drugpricing #drugmakers
https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/aetna-sues-drugmakers-generic-price-fixing/736563
Hospital Mergers And Acquisitions To Rebound?
While hospital mergers and acquisitions are slated to rebound in 2025, some new state oversight laws may impact the activities. And such activities may move to outpatient facilities as well. State watchdogs are now empowered to scrutinize such activities.
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#hospitals #mergers #acquisitions #antitrust #manda
https://www.modernhealthcare.com/mergers-acquisitions/hospital-mergers-laws-restrictions-2025
Digital Health To Rebound
Digital health investors believe that 2025 will bring them returns on their portfolio companies. Digital health companies have struggled over the past few years and got innovative on funding, including convertible notes.
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#digitalhealth #healthcare
https://www.modernhealthcare.com/digital-health/venture-capitalists-vc-investment-acquisitions-2025
— Marc S. Ryan
