4 takeaway questions as the Senate looks at healthcare costs

The Senate health panel on Tuesday grappled with how new policies could curb the ever-increasing costs of the U.S. health system. The lawmakers came away with several questions that likely will recur as the federal government pushes forward with the shift to value-based care.

From standardized “care products” to benchmark pricing, here are four issues lawmakers and witnesses raised as they try to rein in spending that is set to reach 20% of gross domestic product within the next decade.

Dr. Jeff Balser, CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Dr. Steven Safyer, CEO of the Montefiore Health System in New York City; David Lansky, CEO of Pacific Business Group on Health in San Francisco; and Dr. Brent James,...