Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – in collaboration with the Departments of the Treasury and Labor, the Federal Trade Commission and several offices within the White House – released a report titled “Reforming America’s Healthcare System Through Choice and Competition.”
The report is a product of a directive from Executive Order 13813 titled, “Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States.” The Executive Order directs the administration to facilitate “the development and operation of a healthcare system that provides high-quality care at affordable prices for the American people” by increasing consumer choice and promoting competition in healthcare markets and by removing and revising government regulation.
The report identifies problems with the U.S. healthcare system, as well as four areas of opportunity. It blames issues such as influence of state and federal laws, excessive mandates, and limited insurance coverage options as factors that have increased costs. As a result, four key policy areas – Health Care Workforce and Labor Markets, Health Care Provider Markets, Health Care Insurance Markets, and Consumer-Driven Health Care – have been identified as opportunities to improve healthcare policy.
As seen with the Administration’s “American Patients First” Blueprint, the Administration releases broad policy statements that are refined with either Requests for Information (RFIs) or with specific bills/proposed rules. 2019 looks to be no different, as this report is bound to show up in some regulatory or legislative vehicle.
Healthcare organizations, Health Systems, physician practices, and physicians in general need to stay ahead of trends like this report as they could end up having an impact on their bottom lines. Through the use of federal or state lobbying, assistance with federal or state regulatory comments, bill language verification, the creation of SuperPACs or general business strategy consulting, Frier Levitt Government Affairs, LLC. (FLGA) can help healthcare industry stakeholders realize their long-awaited priorities. Contact FLGA today to discuss options that will best get your voice heard.