In the current Congress, Democrats were able to expand Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and introduce drug price reforms, but experts say there could still be some progress on areas of common ground if Republicans take one or both chambers of Congress.

Government negotiation of Medicare drug prices—even for a small set of older, single-source drugs—is a remarkable policy development. But how exactly will the government do it? The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law August 16, contains an 86-page blueprint laying out which drugs are on the table, implementation timelines, “factors” to be considered, and rules of engagement ...

The Consolidated Appropriations Act that passed this year will next year make self-insured employers the fiduciaries for the healthcare services that they purchase, which means they’ll have more say about quality and cost but also more responsibility. This portion of the approximately 5,600-page act hasn’t gotten as much attention as, for instance, the parts that guard against ...

The night before his scheduled cataract surgery last November, Bob Miller’s eye doctor informed him the operation would be delayed because his insurer refused to pay. Miller’s Aetna Medicare plan covered a surgery just a few weeks before on his right eye. Without the surgery on his left eye, the 73-year-old residential painting contractor couldn’t ...

Citing a Bloomberg News article, Gov. Gavin Newsom crowed last month about the probability that California would soon pass Germany to become the world’s fourth largest economy. “While critics often say California’s best days are behind us, reality proves otherwise — our economic growth and job gains continue to fuel the nation’s economy,” Newsom said. Throughout ...

California employers will see a number of changes affecting human resources in the new year. Major themes include compensation and leave, but employers also will need to note legislation that adds new retaliation protections for workers, attorneys told HR Dive.