As value-based efforts lag, push for price regulation gains momentum

For many years, the battle cry of healthcare cost warriors was, “Eliminate all those wasteful services.” 

More recently that evolved to, “Pay providers based on value rather than volume.” But there were always those who insisted the real problem was, “It's the high prices, stupid.”

Now policymakers and experts who favor attacking price increases have gained momentum, with both congressional Democrats and the Trump administration pushing price-setting proposals. Their arguments are buttressed by growing research showing that rising prices for hospital and physician services and drugs are a major driver of increasing healthcare spending.