Addressing Consolidation

How a hospital system grew to gain market power and drove up California health care costs

“It just underscores that without antitrust action, these behaviors aren’t changing,” said Elizabeth Mitchell, CEO of PBGH, an employer coalition that includes 20 of the lawsuit’s class members.

Sutter contended that it might not be able to abide by the settlement terms, and raised the possibility that it would have to charge higher prices beyond the limits in the agreement because of surges in Covid-19 patients.

This case could have nationwide implications if other states begin to examine and challenge local practices, according to Elizabeth Mitchell, CEO of Pacific Business Group on Health, which initiated the lawsuit on behalf of employers and stakeholders.

PBGH CEO, Elizabeth Mitchell said Sutter did not produce evidence that COVID-19 limits its ability to meet the requirements under the settlement the health system agreed to.

Elizabeth Mitchell, CEO of the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH), said Judge Massullo’s one-month delay was “disappointing” but still better than the three-month delay requested by Sutter.

The Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH) is deeply troubled by the misleading statement put out by the American Hospital Association (AHA)   in regard to settlement between Sutter Health System and the Attorney General of California.

Sutter Health agrees to pay $575 million antitrust settlement with up to 13 years of monitoring.

PBGH CEO on Sutter Health antitrust settlement: ‘I don’t think this issue will go away’

Consumers First has released its administrative and legislative policy agenda.

FACT VS. FICTION IN SUPPORT OF SB 977 (MONNING)

California’s leading consumer, labor and business organizations have joined together to support legislation that would lower health care prices for Californians.

An act to add Division 1.7 (commencing with Section 1190) to the Health and Safety Code, relating to health facilities.

Senate Bill 538 seeks to level the playing field in health care contracting, and provides more information to consumers and purchasers in the state.

PBGH supports California Assembly Bill 290.

PBGH members collectively spend over $100 billion annually purchasing healthcare on behalf of their employees. Collectively that means buying healthcare for over 15 million Americans.

The Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 is potentially a significant step forward in national health policy, and I commend the Committee for taking on the difficult issue of health care costs.

Surprise medical bills can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in medical costs that consumers are unprepared to pay.

Millions of patients face surprise medical bills they did not expect at prices they cannot afford.

The Pacific Business Group on Health supports AB 1611 (Chiu) and respectfully requests your “AYE” vote.

AB 1611 will protect patients from surprise emergency room bills from out-of-network hospitals. This bill will ensure that patients only owe the same copay or deductible they would pay for in-network emergency care.

The only thing you should be thinking about when you or a loved one are lying on a gurney in an emergency room is getting well — not the bill for that care.

The Smarter Health Care Coalition represents a broad-based and diverse group of health care innovators, including consumer groups, employers, patient advocacy organizations, health plans and life science companies.