The survey also revealed three top priorities large employers and healthcare purchasers are concerned about post-election.
The Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH) recently conducted a poll which revealed that nearly 60% of employers prioritize reducing healthcare costs, beyond prescription drugs, heading into the new year.
More than 70% of employers believe prescription drug pricing reform should be a “top federal priority” for 2021.
The poll was taken during a members-only webinar shortly after the presidential election, which revealed areas where large employers and healthcare purchasers have expressed concern and that they plan to "stem rising health care costs regardless of which party ultimately controls the Senate."
These areas include "prescription drug costs," "surprise billing," and "high healthcare costs," including:
- 50% of employers plan to "alter their company’s drug formularies to eliminate wasteful spending"
- 44% of employers plan to "engage in value-based contracts to strengthen primary care"
- Another 50% of employers plan to "invest in methods to address inequities in care delivery and outcomes"
According to PBGH Executive Director of Health Policy Bill Kramer and Director of Health Policy Shawn Gremminger, if Democrats and Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate, respectively, “a continued partisan stalemate is likely. That means that major health policy changes are unlikely."
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Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.