Lawmakers still hoping to reduce health costs
"If hospitals and insurers are not able to develop plans to lower their prices to the national average, policy-makers would be wise to consider putting monopoly restraints on the industry."
Hoosiers for
A legislative committee adjourned last week seemingly no closer to answering the thorny question of how to lower
Prompted by a series of studies showing
High health costs have led 16% of Hoosiers into medical debt, with an average debt of more than
The committee, which also discussed issues surrounding maternal mortality and marijuana, held three lengthy meetings in which it talked to health care experts. While numerous studies have found the cost of health care in
Two studies by
"Every state has variation, but you have to come up with a policy that applies to all," said
The focus on hospital pricing has already had some impact both at the legislative and industry level. Last year,
Last session, the
Regulating future mergers, however, would not decrease the current cost of care. Two proposals in the
Historically, hospitals charged more for outpatient care provided on their campuses than offsite medical clinics did. As health systems started acquiring outpatient facilities, they started charging the same rates in outpatient clinics as though they would on a hospital campus. Hospitals typically charge higher rates to offset the costs of serving as a safety net and providing around the clock access to care.
Recently, however, Medicare started refusing to pay hospital rates for care not provided on a hospital campus or within a 250-yard radius of a hospital location. Two years ago, the legislature considered a similar measure, but the hospital industry balked, saying this change could mean as much as a
Capping prices, much as the state already does for worker's compensation claims, could also make a difference, Sachdev said. Or the state could regulate hospital pricing by limiting how much costs can grow.
Noting that many of the hospital systems have millions in cash reserves for a rainy day fund, Sachdev added, "I just don't understand why all the employers have to figure out how to be more efficient and keep lean."
Study author Scheffler, however, said he's a proponent of states establishing commissions to regulate hospital pricing.
The
Local employer advocates called on the
"If hospitals and insurers are not able to develop plans to lower their prices to the national average, policy-makers would be wise to consider putting monopoly restraints on the industry just as they do to regulated electric utilities," Hoosiers for
Advocates for hospitals push back on the idea that care in
Average premiums for health care cost only slightly more here as in other states, which the report states. However, when employee wages are factored into the picture, the health care premiums become less affordable because
"This is yet another attempt to portray
After hearing nearly four hours of testimony from insurance, pharmaceutical, and hospital industry leaders, doctors, and employer advocates, lawmakers had no easy answers to address the issue.
Rather, they said, they hoped to continue the discussion.
"I think we have started something," said Sen.
It's unclear whether lawmakers will consider legislation to curb pricing.
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"If hospitals and insurers are not able to develop plans to lower their prices to the national average, policy-makers would be wise to consider putting monopoly restraints on the industry."
Hoosiers for
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