Leemore Dafny testifies on healthcare costs before Senate budget committee

Partner Leemore Dafny testified before the Senate Committee on the Budget on “Improving Care, Lowering Costs: Achieving Health Care Efficiency.” Dr. Dafny examined how rising provider prices are driving health care spending. Her testimony showed that consolidation across healthcare sectors and expansion of hospital systems are reasons for price increases, as is consolidation of physician markets. She addressed the role of federal antitrust enforcement agencies in this setting and concluded with three recommendations:

• Establish and fund an All Payer Claims Database
• Increase funding for federal antitrust enforcement agencies
• Support site-neutral payment reform for Medicare

Dr. Dafny’s testimony is available here. Further information about the hearing is available here.