Senators unveil measure to address surprise medical bills
A group of senators is unveiling a draft of new legislation they say would tackle the problem of surprise medical bills, a ubiquitous problem where patients are hit with massive unexpected charges.
The Hill reported the bipartisan measure would, among other things, prevent healthcare providers outside a patient's insurance network from charging additional costs for emergency services to patients beyond the amount usually allowed under their insurance plan.
Who's behind it? Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Tom Carper, D-Del., Todd Young, R-Ind., Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. (Release) (The Hill)
Future of Kavanaugh hearing unclear
A woman who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her while they were in high school more than 30 years ago said she wants the FBI to investigate her claim before she testifies before Congress.
Officials had scheduled both Christine Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh to testify before a Senate committee on Monday. Her lawyer told several news outlets she was not prepared to testify until her claims were properly investigated.
It is not clear what this means for the timing of future hearings for Kavanaugh's nomination. Much of the focus of his hearings has been on the impact his presence on the court would have on health issues such as the Affordable Care Act and Roe v. Wade. (CNN)
California regulators file complaint against AbbVie
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today filed an insurance-fraud complaint (PDF) against drug maker AbbVie Inc., alleging a series of kickbacks to providers to prescribe its drug Humira.
According to the complaint, AbbVie conducted a "far-reaching scheme including both 'classic' kickbacks—cash, meals, drinks, gifts, trips and patient referrals—and more sophisticated ones—free and valuable professional goods and services to physicians to induce and reward Humira prescription." Jones said Abbvie also inserted its own personnel directly into the homes of patients.
Jones said private insurers have paid $1.2 billion in Humira-related pharmacy claims, which would make it the largest health insurance fraud case in California's history. (Release)