Bipartisan Senate Duo Takes Aim at "Big Medicine" Consolidation
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley, who are from different parties but share a common goal of reforming the healthcare system, have introduced a bill aimed at breaking up large health care conglomerates. The legislation aims to address the issues of high prescription drug costs and limited competition in the industry.
The lawmakers claim that these conglomerates have created layers of complexity that result in higher prices for consumers while compromising on the quality of care. Warren stated that "the only way to make healthcare more affordable is to break up these health care conglomerates."
Hawley added that Americans are paying more and more for healthcare, with worsening care quality, due to corporate giants prioritizing profits over people.
The legislation targets large health companies, such as UnitedHealthcare or CVS Health, which own various parts of the healthcare supply chain. These companies can own both sides of a transaction, allowing them to steer business their way while evading laws intended to curb corporate profiteering.
The proposed law would prohibit a parent company from owning a medical provider or management services organization and a PBM or insurer. It would also create financial penalties for those who don't comply with the new regulations.
While some industry leaders have pushed back against the characterization of the system as market concentration, the bill is seen as an attempt to increase transparency and control in the healthcare sector.
Warren and Hawley's bipartisan approach has been rare in recent years, but they have shown willingness to cross party lines on certain issues. The bill comes at a time when both parties are looking for ways to rein in healthcare costs ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley, who are from different parties but share a common goal of reforming the healthcare system, have introduced a bill aimed at breaking up large health care conglomerates. The legislation aims to address the issues of high prescription drug costs and limited competition in the industry.
The lawmakers claim that these conglomerates have created layers of complexity that result in higher prices for consumers while compromising on the quality of care. Warren stated that "the only way to make healthcare more affordable is to break up these health care conglomerates."
Hawley added that Americans are paying more and more for healthcare, with worsening care quality, due to corporate giants prioritizing profits over people.
The legislation targets large health companies, such as UnitedHealthcare or CVS Health, which own various parts of the healthcare supply chain. These companies can own both sides of a transaction, allowing them to steer business their way while evading laws intended to curb corporate profiteering.
The proposed law would prohibit a parent company from owning a medical provider or management services organization and a PBM or insurer. It would also create financial penalties for those who don't comply with the new regulations.
While some industry leaders have pushed back against the characterization of the system as market concentration, the bill is seen as an attempt to increase transparency and control in the healthcare sector.
Warren and Hawley's bipartisan approach has been rare in recent years, but they have shown willingness to cross party lines on certain issues. The bill comes at a time when both parties are looking for ways to rein in healthcare costs ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
I'm loving this bipartisan approach from Warren and Hawley! 
It's like they're saying, "Hey, we can agree to disagree on politics, but let's work together on a issue that affects us all." 
Breaking up those big healthcare conglomerates could really make a difference in prices and quality of care. 
I mean, it's not rocket science, just making sure these massive companies aren't price-gouging consumers left and right is a no-brainer! 
Plus, the transparency aspect is a major win - we should all be able to see what's going on behind those corporate curtains. 
Can you imagine if more politicians were willing to put aside party lines for the greater good? 
It'd be awesome to see some real progress on healthcare reform... and maybe even a few other issues too! 
! I mean, how can one company own everything from insurance to pharmacies? It's like they're playing a game of monopoly with our health 
. And don't even get me started on the prices - I've seen my grandpa struggle with high medication costs just because he needs treatment for something non-life threatening 
! Breaking them up could really make a difference in affordability and quality of care. Plus, it's not like they're proposing some radical change - just basic transparency and regulation 
. It's crazy how often these bills get shot down or ignored, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this one actually makes a difference 
!
they're just makin' life harder for us all, and havin' too much control over our meds & healthcare services 
meanwhile, warren & hawley are tryin' to shake things up 
hopefully it'll lead to some real change 
. Can't they just make healthcare work like it is in most other countries, where competition is actually encouraged? These large conglomerates are already making huge profits off of us, but breaking them up won't necessarily lead to cheaper meds or better care 
. And what about the jobs that would be lost when all these companies get broken up? Just another example of politicians trying to solve complex problems with simplistic solutions 
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think they're onto something tho, all these huge health companies doin' whatever they want & makin money off our backs... btw did u know u can buy a whole hospital for like 10 billion bucks? that's wild 
I mean, have you seen those commercials on TV where every doc is prescribing a certain brand of medication? thats all about propaganda. I bet there's some big med corp pulling the strings behind this whole thing. 
... I think these two senators are onto something with their new bill. Breaking up those huge health companies would definitely help make things more affordable for us, you know? They're not thinking about the patients at all, just about how much money they can make off of us. It's like, shouldn't we be the ones in charge here? 
They're not beholden to any special interests or party lines, which is super important when it comes to fixing the healthcare system. I just hope their bill gets passed before some of those big corporations try to block it with all sorts of loopholes and whatnot 
...
and i'm still trying to process the whole sand-digging thing lol anyway, have you ever noticed how expensive sunscreen can get? like, i know it's not related to the healthcare bill or anything, but seriously $50 for a bottle is ridiculous 
i mean, who doesn't love the idea of breaking up big corporations and making healthcare more affordable? sounds about right for the politicians to promise, though 
still hopeful that this might lead to some actual change, but history says otherwise 
and now our senators are all like "hey, we gotta put a stop to this" 
Elizabeth Warren & Josh Hawley are like the dynamic duo of healthcare reform 
! These two Senators are on point! Big Medicine has got to be broken up, it's getting out of hand 
. This bill is a step in the right direction towards making healthcare more affordable and accessible. We need to start seeing some real change here, not just empty promises