Thursday Links

Since 2001, Medicare physician payments have fallen 30 percent behind the rate of inflation.

The rising cost of Obamacare: CBO: subsidies will cost $1.3 trillion over the next decade and Medicaid expansion will cost another $1.4 trillion. (WSJ)

Claim: Group purchasing organizations (GPOs) are partly responsible for drug shortages. (Speculative)

Medicare Part D enrollees:  expect more restrictive formularies and utilization controls. Plans “may steer Medicare beneficiaries to use drugs that have to be administered by a doctor rather than pills that can be picked up at a pharmacy.”

Three weaknesses with hospital “all payer” systems: (1) self-insured employers (most large companies) are exempt, (2) Medicare Advantage plans are exempt and (3) hospital participation must be voluntary.