AHA recommends HHS actions to promote health care choice, competition

The AHA yesterday shared with the Department of Health and Human Services its recommendations for promoting competition and choice in the health care system. Responding to an HHS request for information on promoting health care choice and competition, AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels urged the agency to take a more active role in providing expert advice to the federal antitrust agencies on how health plan mergers affect Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients, and take certain steps to strengthen the Health Insurance Marketplaces. AHA also offered recommendations to ensure that patients can see their preferred health care providers and access meaningful quality information, critical services and integrated care, electronic health information and affordable drug therapies.