S3, Ep 10- Why Transparency Is Essential to Creating a More Sustainable Health Care System

We are developing policy solutions based on innuendos, gossip, and erroneous modeling assumptions instead of actual data. To help patients with out-of-pocket costs, we need our policymakers to step up, do the brave thing, and improve drug affordability by implementing policies based on accurate data. In this episode, our hosts dive deeper into the important discussion surrounding transparency in drug pricing and discuss an article published in National Review and co-authored by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF. “The reason I authored the paper is because frankly, if you don't have transparency in the marketplace, and you don't have accurate collection of information and data, you're going to make poor policy decisions,” says Dr. Popovian. Among the highlights in this episode: 2:23: Why transparency is essential in the effort to collect accurate data 3:38: Dr. Popovian explains the complexity of determining how much pharmaceutical spending in the United States falls back into the pockets of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) 5:15: Why collecting accurate and precise data is essential to current Congressional efforts on improving and reforming the healthcare system 8:24: Dr. Popovian discusses the opposition that lawmakers and advocates are facing in their efforts on transparency 10:22: “Their arguments [PBMs’ arguments] fall flat because the data doesn't support it. If somebody is paying less for something, then why do you need to increase premiums?” says Dr. Popovian 11:52: Dr. Popovian shares his vision on what policymakers could do to bolster the transparency effort 14:18: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts Contact Our Hosts Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: [email protected] Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: [email protected] We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to [email protected] Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.