Hospitals and PBMs seem to have dodged big federal reforms — for now
AXIOS March 5, 2024
Hospitals and pharmacy benefit managers who’ve repeatedly been targeted in congressional debates over health spending appear to have ducked major federal reforms that could have upended how they do business.
Why it matters: The big congressional spending deal that was unveiled this week with health policy attachments largely keeps the status quo for the two powerful industries, potentially leaving patients exposed to higher health costs.
- The must-pass package was viewed as the likeliest vehicle for big policy changes before the elections. Barring a surprise, any debate will be punted to a lame-duck session toward year’s end.
- “The combination of industry lobbying and dysfunction in Congress have conspired to stop anything from happening” on proposals to change how Medicare pays...