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The U. S. House of Representatives passed H. R. 5378, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, a bill to require greater transparency in hospital values, which would value differences among hospital administrators. Pharmaceutical services.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 320 to 71 and now stands before the Senate for consideration. Congress is expected to recess for the year at the end of this week.
It also provides price transparency for clinical lab tests so that patients will get more clarity into the prices they’ll pay for these tests.
The bill saves hospitals $16 million in cuts for disproportionately sharing hospital bills over two years.
WHY IT MATTERS
Neutral invoices are included in the invoice.
Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, said: “While the AHA appreciates the inclusion of a two-year delay in the DSH cuts, we have been very transparent about the harm that would be done to hospitals in our nation if it were so. -called Medicare-impartial cuts were approved. We have strongly suggested that those cuts be removed from this legislation. If fair cuts to Medicare remain a component of this package, we call on Congress to oppose H. R. 5378 (Lower Costs, More Transparency). Law). until such adjustments are made.
The Catholic Health Association has also called for lawmakers to reject site neutral provisions in the Lower Costs, More Transparency bill.
Merith Basey, executive director of Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, said, “The House’s decisive bipartisan action tonight in passing the Cost Reduction and More Transparency Act, adding measures to increase transparency and address higher drug costs through the approval procedure for generic drugs, it’s very encouraging and it moves Congress in the right direction. “
But the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association said the bill would fail to achieve the objective of lowering drug costs.
“Profit-making U. S. pharmaceutical corporations are incredibly disappointed with the passage of H. R. 5. 378 by the U. S. House of Representatives,” the organization said. “The law undermines PBMs’ goal of lowering prescription drug prices for patients and employers. “Entering into personal market contracts for pharmaceutical advantages undermines and weakens MPPs’ ability to offer fitness plans, and employers and unions can select what is the most expensive and effective pharmaceutical product to meet their needs. “
THE BIGGEST TREND
Another bill introduced in the House would avert an imminent 3. 37% cut in doctors’ salaries in Medicare payments to the American Medical Association.
These cuts threaten healthcare access for seniors as well as the viability of physician practices, including many in rural and underserved areas, said the AMA.