US Probes Illegal Healthcare Activity - We can Help
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A Good Day To Advocate for Better Healthcare
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Investigations Underway
There is a lot of public outcry about corporations cheating the healthcare system recently and today’s article shows that the government has been listening - good job everyone!!
FTC, DoJ, & HHS investigating Private Equity in Healthcare
These agencies are seeking info on transactions, including non-reportable deals, that may harm patients’ health, workers’ safety, quality of care, and affordability - and working together to do it.
Private equity firms and other corporate owners are increasingly involved in health care system transactions, and, at times, those transactions may lead to a maximizing of profits at the expense of quality care. The cross-government inquiry seeks to understand how certain health care market transactions may increase consolidation and generate profits for firms while threatening patients’ health, workers’ safety, quality of care, and affordable health care for patients and taxpayers.
“Through this inquiry the FTC will continue scrutinizing private equity roll-ups, strip-and-flip tactics, and other financial plays that can enrich executives but leave the American public worse off”, said the FTC chair.
Research has shown that competition in health care provider promotes higher quality, lower cost health care, greater access to care, increased innovation, higher wages, and better benefits for health care workers. Comments submitted in response to the joint RFI will inform the agencies’ enforcement priorities and future action, including potential regulations aimed at promoting and protecting competition in health care markets and ensuring appropriate access to quality, affordable health care items and services.
In addition to the launch of the RFI, all three agencies will also be participating today in a virtual public workshop that will explore the impact of private equity in health care and will discuss what the federal government is doing to address any harmful effects.
Your voice matters -Check out the three actions below and if you can help, then you’re helping everyone.
This is your opportunity to make sure that your story is told and heard not just the insurance companies and corporate behemoths.
Action - CMS-DoJ HHS RFI on Private Equity in Healthcare
The agencies issued a Request for Information (RFI) requesting public comment on deals conducted by health systems, private payers, private equity funds, and other alternative asset managers that involve health care providers, facilities, or ancillary products or services. The RFI also requests information on transactions that would not be reported to the Justice Department or FTC for antitrust review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
All market participants—including patients, consumer advocates, doctors, nurses, health care providers and administrators, employers, insurers, and more—are invited to share their comments in response to the RFI.
The agencies seek comments on a variety of transactions, including those involving dialysis clinics, nursing homes, hospice providers, primary care providers, hospitals, home health agencies, home- and community-based services providers, behavioral health providers, as well as billing and collections services.
DUE DATE MAY 6, 2024
Action - CMS RFI on Medicare Advantage
You can help. If you know of any shenanigans with Medicare Advantage plans please submit your data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ recent RFI on Medicare Advantage. DUE DATE MAY 29, 2024.
Action - FTC and HHS RFI on Drug Middlemen and Drug Shortages
There is also an RFI issued by the FTC and HHS on how pharmaceutical middleman groups may be contributing to drug shortages. The RFI stems from a December 2023 announcement outlining efforts by the DOJ, FTC and HHS to lower health care and drug costs, while promoting competition to benefit patients and health care workers.
You can comment here. DUE DATE APRIL 12, 2024
Summary
I am very excited that the government agencies are working together to root out corruption and illegal activity that takes advantage of us as medical patients. I am also excited that they are busy collecting data and I strongly encourage you to add your voice.
My wife and I actually are rocket scientists and one of the things we found so discouraging in the years Trump was president was the movement to remove data from the public. Government websites stopped collecting and sharing data as actively as before. This dumbing down of scientific and especially healthcare related data just allows people to game the system for their gain at our expense.
I so welcome the government seeking our information to help them protect us from those who cheat - ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE.
RESOURCES
Healthcare Advocacy (Us)
Website
Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare
Healthcare Advocacy Reading List
Find My Elected Officials
Contact the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Contact State and Federal Representatives
By phone: (202) 224-3121
By email: democracy.io
Important Healthcare Resources
League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Organizations to Contact
National Nurses United Medicare4All
Physicians for a National Health Program
One Payer States
Healthcare Now
Reproductive Health
NARAL - Pro Choice America
Charley. chatbot abortion resource - make sure to use a secure incognito browser if you live in a state that has banned abortion
Planned Parenthood
Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.
United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.
Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.
If you need financial help with an abortion try abortionfunds.org
Claims Denials and Appeals & What to Do
Appeal a Healthcare Decision
Appeal/Negotiate a Hospital Bill
Disinformation Management
Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency
Save Democracy
Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Cravens
RESISTBOT
Link to the RESISTBOT site to learn more
Link to Chop Wood, Carry Water RESISTBOT write up
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