We hope that you and loved ones are staying well as we together persevere through the unprecedented circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The current situation has brought to the forefront a number of issues our healthcare system currently faces, including the potential costs associated with treating those affected by COVID-19. In this month’s Source Roundup, we begin by looking at the expected treatment costs for patients affected by COVID-19 and examine how price capping may be a means to reduce healthcare costs. We also highlight articles that discuss …

In this edition of the Source Roundup, we highlight articles and reports from February that discuss: (1) the prevalence of out-of-network billing during elective procedures with in-network services, (2) affordable care organizations’ potential to limit out-of-network spending, (3) findings from the new Health Care Cost and Utilization Report, (4) private health care spending growth  varies by hospital referral regions, (5) U.S. has highest healthcare spending despite worst health outcome, and (6) how states policies encourage provider market competition and lower healthcare spending.   The Prevalence of In-Network Care that Result …

Happy February!  Here at The Source, we are grateful for the extra day in February to give our readers time to catch up with the latest health policy analysis and literature.  This edition of the Source Roundup looks at articles and reports on 1) how monopolies have hurt consumers and what states can do to combat hospital acquisitions and mergers, 2) how well states are doing to make health care affordable; 3) why a single-payer system is financially feasible; and 4) what the United States can learn from other countries’ …

Happy New Year! We hope you had an exciting start to the new decade! In this edition of the Source Roundup, we cover articles and reports from December that discuss: (1) increase in US health care spending in 2018, (2) health system affiliation and how it affects patient access, (3) out-of-network provider charges between 2012 and 2017, and (4) how billing in-network could save millions.   U.S. Health Care Spending Increased 4.6 Percent to Reach $3.6 Trillion in 2018 In the Health Affairs article National Health Care Spending in 2018: …

Happy December! The holiday season is upon us and it is time to cozy up with a warm cup of tea to the latest health policy news.  This edition of the Source Roundup looks at articles on 1) healthcare market consolidation and provider network access, 2) increases in insurance premium contributions and deductibles, and 3) lessons from healthcare system reforms abroad.   Healthcare Markets Accountable care organizations (ACOs) have been lauded for providing higher quality medical care at lower costs.  In a recent Health Affairs research article, Changes in Physician Consolidation …

Happy November!  If you’re wondering what to do with that extra hour as Daylight Savings ends, why not peruse the latest in healthcare news?  In this month’s Source Roundup, we look at articles that analyze 1) the role of waste and prescription drug prices in increasing healthcare costs, 2) the impact of market concentration and competition in healthcare pricing, and 3) the projected impact of healthcare reform proposals.   Healthcare Spending Increases Due to Waste and Rising Prescription Drug Costs As Americans dig deeper into their pockets to pay for …

The autumnal season is upon us!  This month, we pull no tricks, and treat you to a review of articles and reports about 1) the impact of healthcare market concentration, 2) the potential use for price transparency, and 3) government efforts to influence pharmaceutical pricing.   Conflicting Views on How Market Concentration Impacts Healthcare Prices Two recent reports point to an increase in healthcare market concentration and discuss the effects on price and competition.  The American Medical Association (AMA) just published the 2019 edition of the annual study of market …

By: Hayden Soria, Student Fellow Hello September! As we see cooler days slowly roll in, there are still many sizzling topics in this month’s health policy literature. In this Roundup, we take a dive into article and reports that discuss 1) the prevalence of surprise billing, 2) the effects of California’s AB 72 on provider networks, 3) increasing hospital prices, 4) hospital quality ratings, 4) increasing insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs, and 5) health plan profitability.   Surprise Billing and Provider Networks Eric C. Sun, Michelle Mello, and Jasmin Moshfegh explore …

By: Hayden Soria, Student Fellow Happy August! Even as the summer winds down, there is no waning of health policy literature. In this month’s Source Roundup, we take a look at academic articles and studies that analyze 1) potential prescription drug savings from generics and biosimilars, 2) the need for price transparency, and 4) a multitude of efforts in health system reform.   Potential Prescription Drug Savings from Generics and Biosimilars As prescription drug pricing continue to capture the nation’s attention, Stacie B. Dusetzina et al. take a dive into cost …

By: Hayden Soria, Student Fellow Happy July! Hope everyone is staying cool in the summer heat. In this month’s Source Roundup, we take a dive into academic articles and studies that look at 1) healthcare system reform on a national and state level 2) health care markets concentration and competition, and 3) developing trends in prescription drug pricing.   Healthcare System Reform Ever since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation nine years ago, it has become one of the most polarizing topics in American political culture, spawning debates both in support …