This presents quite a disconnect with the voting population, as a Kaiser Foundation Health Racking Poll in August found two-thirds of Americans are concerned about medical costs and Medicare’s future.
Here are four key healthcare topics worthy of debate time:
1. The health of the Affordable Care Act. Aetna, Humana and UnitedHealth have all opted out of many ACA exchanges, due to significant losses. This presents a major problem, as it leaves Americans in many counties with a limited number or just one payer offering coverage.
Possible questions: Since the ACA is losing steam, how would you incentivize payers to stay or join? And what is your back-up plan if the ACA fails?
2. Rising drug prices. Pharmaceutical company Mylan has been under fire for increasing the EpiPen’s price by more than 450 percent since 2004. Additionally, CMS came out and said Mylan overcharged the government and taxpayers by millions for years.
Possible questions: How would you rectify the Mylan situation in regards to alleged overcharges? Additionally, how do you suggest we avoid a similar situation to Mylan in the future?
3. Rise in M&A activity. The almost-merger of Pfizer and Dublin-based Allergan caused quite a stir, resulting in the Department of Treasury cutting the tax benefits Pfizer would have gained from the deal.
Possible questions: Are you supportive of healthcare industry mergers? Do you believe they are anti-consumer, and if so, what would you do to put a stop to them?
4. Proposition 61. This ballot initiative involves controlling prescription drug prices by connecting prices to lower Veterans Administration prices.
Possible questions: Do you support initiatives like Proposition 61? Do you think state agencies should have the power to cap payment for drugs?
Recent articles:
AmSurg Director named on Power 100 list: 2 takeaways
US maternal mortality rate on the uptick — 6 statistics
6 out-of-the-box opportunities to improve ASC profitability in 2017
