What you should know: Government arbitration is the wrong way to change Medicare

As Washington looks to make changes to Medicare, there are right ways and wrong ways to address the challenges patients face. In recent weeks, policymakers have discussed imposing government arbitration on Medicare drug coverage. Arbitration is the wrong way to change Medicare, particularly government arbitration – it would be risky and could jeopardize care for seniors and people with disabilities. Rather than focusing on approaches that lower out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries, thereby improving their care, it could put the government between patients and their physicians in making treatment decisions .  Lastly, it could contribute to investments in innovation shifting away from serious diseases like Alzheimer ’s and cancer that have a greater impact on Medicare patients. Before this concept moves forward it is important to examine the reality of government arbitration.
Source: The Catalyst - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Tags: Access Alzheimer's cancer Patients chronic disease Burden on Patients Part D Medicare Out of Pocket Costs Medicare Monday IPAB Fact Check Part B Prescription for Medicare Source Type: news