Some of the most powerful new medicines pose a host of challenges for drug companies trying to copy and sell similar versions on the cheap. Can those companies find a sustainable path forward, or will patients get left stuck paying exorbitant prices?
Federal Policy
Posted inCost of Care
3 Big Threats to the Cheap, Effective Medicines That Underpin U.S. Health Care
The U.S. has relied on cheap, effective generic drugs for 40 years. Now that promise is under threat.
Posted inCost of Care
Race to the Bottom: Hard Bargain
America pays less, on average, than any other major country for our generic drugs. But selling essential medicines at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shortages.
Posted inCost of Care
Race to the Bottom: Boom Times
In this first part of our three-part series “Race to the Bottom,” we trace the origins of America’s generic drug industry — groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan that saved us trillions and also got us into trouble.
Posted inPublic Health
A Report Card for Telehealth: What’s Worked and What Hasn’t
As Congress figures out the future of telehealth, we get a reality check from a top researcher about what this care has and has not delivered.
Posted inCost of Care
Is Private Equity Ruining Health Care? It’s Complicated
While stories of private equity firms running amok in health care are easy to find, new research paints a more nuanced picture.
Posted inCost of Care
Surprise! Plans To Resolve High Medical Bills Are Still a Mess
Patients are now mostly protected from surprise bills, but doctors and insurers are still fighting over prices.
Posted inCost of Care
Sen. Bill Cassidy Wrestles with a $500 Billion Health Care Problem
Tradeoffs talks with Sen. Bill Cassidy about a new bipartisan effort to improve care for some of the country’s poorest, sickest patients.
Posted inHealth Law
How Pushing Hospitals to Give Away More Free Care Could Backfire
Some lawmakers want nonprofit hospitals to give away more free care. But experts warn that could wind up being worse for patients.
Posted inHealth Equity
Tradeoffs LIVE! Rooting Out Racial Bias in Health Care AI
A live conversation between a top federal health official and a health care executive about working together to keep AI from exacerbating racial bias in health care.