Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research
CAHPR in the Media
Our experts are available for interviews and media appearances.
CAHPR in the Media
Our experts are available for interviews and media appearances.
Recent Media Coverage
The article discusses the looming expiration of pandemic-era Medicare telehealth expansions and the ongoing policy debate over their extension, including new research by Ateev Mehrotra and Jared Perkins who suggest that lowering reimbursement rates for telehealth could make its permanent expansion more financially and politically viable.
Congress Can Unlock The Full Potential Of Telehealth Through A Permanent Fix
Congress recently extended Medicare’s telehealth flexibilities until March 31, 2025, but the lack of permanent reform creates uncertainty for providers and patients. A long-term solution is needed to sustain telehealth’s benefits, ensure continued access, and drive innovation in health care.
States consider raising health premiums for their employees
This news article highlights the study led by Dr. Roslyn Murray on potential savings achieved by capping state employee health plans while discussing how rising health care costs are squeezing state dollars.
The Danger of Trump's Deregulation Play — Healthcare without guardrails poses risks to patients and providers alike
The Trump administration's push for deregulation threatens to accelerate vertical integration in healthcare. Brown University professor, Dr. Christopher Whaley warns from existing research how this may lead to referrals to more expensive hospitals ultimately leading to higher costs, reduced competition, and financial strain on independent hospitals, particularly in rural areas as the article discusses.
NY hospital prices four times higher than doctor's offices, report finds
This article talks about the analysis conducted by CAHPR researchers who find that routine medical care costs four times more in New York’s outpatient hospital facilities than in doctor’s offices, largely due to added facility fees. Economist Christopher Whaley and other experts have long highlighted such pricing disparities, fueling legislative efforts like the proposed Fair Pricing Act to cap these costs.
Indiana Governor Appoints Business Leader To Shake Up Health Care
Gloria Sachdev has spent years challenging high hospital prices in Indiana, successfully pushing for healthcare cost transparency and legislative reforms. Her efforts, have led to a national report on hospital pricing and significant policy changes in the state.
Hospitals cry foul as public option enrollment rises
This article covers a Brown University study, published in Health Affairs, which found that the Colorado Option lowered average marketplace premiums by $101 per month since 2020, while exchange premiums nationally rose by 10%.
More primary care physicians are affiliated with hospitals, leading to increased patient costs
The article covers a study published in JAMA Health Forum by Yashaswini Singh and colleagues on the increasing affiliation of primary care physicians with hospitals and private equity firms, leading to higher patient costs without clear improvements in care quality or physician compensation.
Colorado hits record for health marketplace signup, though federal uncertainty is on the horizon
This article covers criticisms from Colorado’s Health Care Future, which argues that the program has failed to lower premiums, harmed competition, and reduced consumer choices, while the state cites a Brown University analysis showing it provides affordable coverage and limits premium increases driven by rising hospital and provider costs.
Nearly half of buyers on individual market picked Colorado Option health plans for 2025
This article talks about two conflicting studies on the Colorado Option emerged—one, funded by the insurance industry, found only 2% of plans met the 10% premium reduction goal, while another, by Brown University researchers and backed by the Commonwealth Fund, highlighted it as a model, estimating $100 lower premiums than similar states without a public option.
Hospital, PE-affiliated primary care docs charge higher prices than independents, study finds
This article discusses a study led by Dr. Yashaswini and published in JAMA Health Forum on trends in physician practice ownership, showing a significant shift from independent practices to corporate ownership, as well as the associated price increases, with hospital and PE-affiliated practices charging higher fees, and its implications for healthcare costs and quality.
Indie No More: Nearly Half of Primary Care Docs Now Affiliated With Health Systems
This article highlights the study led by Dr. Yashaswini Singh on the growing affiliation of primary care physicians with hospitals and private equity firms along with increasing healthcare costs that come with these affiliations.
Quarter 3: 2024 Media Coverage
Hospital Payment Caps: ‘Band Aid’ or Promising Cost-Control Solution?
This article explores the study done by Brown researchers on the imapct of Oregon's hospital payment cap and how other US states have an opportunity to implement similar control measures to achieve health savings.
The Rise Of Health Care Consolidation And What To Do About It
CAHPR researchers examine the economic and healthcare implications of consolidation within the U.S. healthcare system while proposing legislative solutions aimed at curbing the adverse effects of consolidation.
The FTC's Noncompete Rule: Legal Challenges And Potential Solutions For Physician Markets
The FTC's nationwide ban on non-compete agreements, originally set to take effect on September 4, 2024, is now entangled in legal battles that challenge the agency's authority. This article explores the ongoing debates, highlighting the loopholes in the current rule, and prescribes potential policy solutions.
Medicare Advantage plans got ‘alarming’ break from the U.S. government a decade ago: Here’s why
A decade ago, CMS tried to rein in Medicare Advantage overbilling, only to withdraw amid industry pressure, now fueling a $2 billion fraud case against UnitedHealth. Newly released court documents expose the struggle to protect taxpayer dollars while navigating powerful industry pushback.
Are Changes To The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Driving Value In US Health Care?
The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is a cornerstone of U.S. healthcare policy, directly influencing how services are priced and covered. This Health Affairs blog delves into a brief analysis of the CY25 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Changes and what impact it could have moving forward.
Price transparency is critical to fix nation’s health care model, Brown scholar tells Congress
Christopher Whaley, testified before Congress, highlighting the urgent need of health care price transparency and its role in combating high healthcare costs in the US and enhancing policy decision-making.
How Payment Caps Can Reduce Hospital Prices and Spending: Lessons from the Oregon State Employee Plan
This issue brief provides key lessons for other states interested in hospital payment caps. These include setting caps above Medicare rates but below typical state plan prices to maintain provider participation, exempting small and rural hospitals to protect vulnerable facilities, and legislating payment caps to ensure long-term stability. Oregon’s approach offers valuable insights for states seeking to control health care spending while ensuring access to care.
Quarter 2: 2024 Media Coverage
Medicare payment parity key to saving independent physicians, Dr. Ashish Jha tells Congress
Dr. Ashish K. Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, addressed the House Committee on Ways and Means on why the U.S. is seeing a decline in private medical practices and what we can do about it.
What's Driving Healthcare Consolidation? The Answer May Surprise You
Healthcare consolidation is fueled by the need for pricing power and financial stability under value-based care, but experts warn this trend threatens competition and transparency, calling for stronger oversight and legislative action.
Private equity escapes FTC in court, but anesthesia group doesn’t
The PE firm, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe has been released from the ongoing case against U.S. Anesthesia Partners, for monopolization in Texas. What does this mean for PE firms and antitrust scrutiny?
Is Private Equity Ruining Health Care? It's Complicated
Is private equity good AND bad? Listen to experts including Dr. Yashaswini Singh talk about private equity with a nuanced approach.
State Treasurer Folwell Releases Report Finding North Carolina 340B Hospitals Overcharged State Employees for Cancer Drugs, Reaped Thousands of Dollars in Profits Per Claim
State Treasurer Folwell's recent report with insights from Christopher Whaley unveils startling findings: North Carolina's 340B hospitals have been overcharging the state, shedding light on critical financial discrepancies in healthcare funding.
‘Very, very unusual.’ Is Valley Children’s taking more than it’s giving back?
This article featuring Chris Whaley delves into whether the Valley Children's Hospital's actions align with its mission and the nonprofit ethos it claims to uphold.
FTC poised to shake up health care
Erin Fuse Brown weighs in on the potential impact of the FTC's new rules against noncompete agreements, analyzing how this significant shift could empower healthcare workers and reshape the dynamics of the industry.
Big corporations are quietly taking over your medical practice. Some doctors and experts say it's ruining healthcare.
Amidst a silent surge of corporate takeovers in healthcare, Yashaswini Singh offers crucial insights into how these acquisitions are quietly transforming patient care and escalating costs, often beyond the public eye.
Hospital care costs are out of control. Price caps can help
This article discusses Oregon's successful experiment in implementing price caps on hospital services, saving $107.5 million in two years, suggesting a viable solution for states battling soaring healthcare costs.
Quarter 1: 2024 Media Coverage
2025 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice: Small Changes, Missed Opportunities
Under the CMS 2025 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice, CAHPR researchers emphasize the expected revenue increases and minor changes in risk adjustment practices; highlighting the impactful changes on the horizon and the critical reforms that still await attention.
Congress Has The Opportunity To Deliver Health Care Price Transparency
Health care price transparency has seen growing support from policy makers and the US public alike. This article delves into the measures Congress has implemented to enhance transparency around health care costs and explores avenues for enhancing existing laws.
Hospital payment cap slashes prices in Ore.
Rev Cycle Management, an information avenue for revenue cycle management writes on the Health Affairs study led by Brown researchers on the impact of hospital payment caps in Oregon and the health savings achieved for the state.
Oregon lawmakers could limit corporate ownership of medical practices
Oregon bill, HB 4130, aims to impose some of the strictest limits on corporate ownership of primary care and specialty clinics, targeting the influence of large companies and private equity firms.
Attack of the Straw Doctors
This article looks at how private equity firms are increasingly employing "straw doctors" to circumvent restrictions on corporate ownership of medical practices -- threatening the quality of patient care and the integrity of the medical profession.
Opinion | Private equity firms are gnawing away at U.S. health care
Ashish Jha casts a critical eye on the influence of private equity in healthcare, illuminating how these acquisitions not only escalate costs but also fundamentally reshape the quality and accessibility of medical care.
Older Americans say they feel trapped in Medicare Advantage plans
Read this NPR article or listen to the All Things Considered NPR broadcast featuring Dr. David Meyers where he talks about the difficulties a beneficiary can face when enrolled in Medicare Advantage.
2022 Media Coverage
The Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage
Explore Medicare Advantage and how it compares to Traditional Medicare.
Which to Choose: Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
David Meyers, a health services researcher at Brown University, and his colleagues have been tracking differences between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage for years, using data from millions of people.
General Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the news articles do not reflect those of Brown University.