Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Workers' Costs Grow Despite Slowed Health Spending
American workers already struggling with stagnant wages are being saddled with higher medical bills even as employers reap the benefits of a sustained slowdown in the growth of healthcare costs, a new report indicates. While employees' insurance premiums and out-of pocket medical expenses shot up 21% from 2007 to 2013 to an average of $3,273 a year, employers' total healthcare costs rose only 14.5%. (Levey, 3/2)
Prescription drug coverage in Obamacare plans varies widely but is stingier than typical employer-sponsored coverage, according to a study published Monday in Health Affairs. Co-pays, coinsurance and high deductibles, especially in bronze and the most popular silver plans, mean that many enrollees are on the hook for a larger share of their drug costs, even though the monthly premiums are often lower than for coverage they might get through work, the researchers report. (Norman, 3/2)
Meanwhile, a onetime聽patient safety advocate聽pays $1 million to settle allegations he took kickbacks to promote a product -
Dr. Chuck Denham, once a leading voice for patient safety, will pay $1 million to settle civil allegations that he took kickbacks to promote a drug company's product in national health quality guidelines, the Justice Department announced Monday. (Allen, 3/2)
