Press Releases

Biosimilars Key to Lowering Drug Prices; National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions Releases Playbook to Help Employers Adopt 

WASHINGTON – March 7, 2023 – The broader acceptance and use of biosimilars – lower-cost versions of patented and branded drugs – by employers and other healthcare purchasers are key to preserving economic competition in the marketplace. To support plan sponsors in adopting biosimilars into their health and pharmacy benefit plans, the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) developed and released an employer playbook. Click title above for complete release.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools and LG&E and KU Energy Honored for Healthcare Strategy Innovation by the National Alliance

WASHINGTON – November 8, 2022 – The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) recognized the efforts of employers and purchasers and member coalitions at its 2022 Annual Forum. Miami-Dade County Public Schools and LG&E and KU Energy received the 2022 Employer/Purchaser Excellence Award; the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health was honored with the 2022 Membership Leadership Award; and Robert Smith, executive director of the Colorado Business Group on Health, was acknowledged with the 2022 President’s Award. Click title above for complete release.

Healthcare Affordability Crowds out Wages, Price Transparency Drives Employer Concerns and Fuels Action Per National Alliance Survey

WASHINGTON – November 2, 2022 – Unsustainable healthcare costs thwart employer efforts to attract and retain talent as 73% said it crowds out salary and wage increases, and 82% report it impacts ability to remain competitive. These are among the findings of the latest survey of more than 150 employers conducted by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) and its members. Click title above for complete release.

Fall Malaise Sets in; Americans’ Risk of Depression Up 106% with Summer’s End

SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON – November 1, 2022 – According to the Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition, fall malaise is setting in. Americans’ risk of depression soared 106% in September when compared to the peak of the sunshine season. Further, data shows that a rise in depression coupled with a 40% increase in anxiety and 16% increase in stress since August is impacting U.S. workers’ ability to be decisive and meet complex business goals. In other words, employees’ all-important planning capacity dropped a consequential 16% – hi-jacked by the downward mental health spiral.  Click title above for complete release.

National Alliance Helps Employers Get to Fair Price for Hospital Services

WASHINGTON – September 8, 2022 – To support employers and other healthcare purchasers in efforts to stop paying indefensible hospital prices, the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) released a new resource for plan sponsors to map out strategies to identify and negotiate fair market prices for hospitals. Click title above for complete release.

EmployersRx Statement on Ruling to Exclude Drugs Sold in the Commercial Market from the Inflation Reduction Act

WASHINGTON – August 6, 2022 – In response to news that the Senate Parliamentarian has ruled that language in the Inflation Reduction Act must be modified to exclude drugs sold in the commercial market from limitations on prescription drug price increases, the Employers Prescription for Affordable Drugs (EmployersRx) coalition issued the following statement. Click title above for complete release.

National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions Elects New Board

WASHINGTON – June 30, 2022 – The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions announced its slate of new officers for the Board of Governors at its 2022 Leadership Summits held June 27-28 in Detroit. Officers are elected by their board peers based on proven leadership and commitment to the National Alliance, as well as their efforts to advance and strengthen value-based purchasing strategies.  Click title above for complete release.

According to the Mental Health Index: Risk of PTSD Up 121% When Compared to Before the Pandemic

SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON April 28, 2022 – The Q1 2022 Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition findings show that the risk of PTSD among workers remains alarmingly high; up 121% when compared to before the global pandemic. Further, sustained attention is 47% worse than pre-pandemic; and for men the data is even more concerning – 74% worse than February 2020. These worrisome findings are a stark contrast to additional data that shows improvements in risk for most other mental health concerns. Experts offer words of caution as risk of PTSD makes people more emotionally volatile and increasingly susceptible to stress, anxiety, depression, and addiction. It will take little to impact employees’ mental state.

National Alliance Concerned About Implications of Texas Medical Association v. HHS Surprise Billing for Employers/Employees

WASHINGTON – March 3, 2022 – The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) released the following statement regarding the decision rendered in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Texas Medical Association v. the United States Department of Health and Human Services:

“The Eastern District of Texas court’s interpretation of the Biden Administration’s regulation will have significant potential to increase overall healthcare costs by allowing providers to essentially demand payment at whatever rate they want with no regard for market dynamics. This will undermine the efforts employers have been taking for years to lower – or at best stabilize healthcare costs. The actions by one judge in one federal judicial district may be far-reaching and make healthcare access and affordability even worse for American families."

Lack of Transparency and Misaligned Incentives Reduce Adoption of Biosimilars Per National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions

WASHINGTON – February 22, 2022 – Biologics have transformed the science and economics of drug management and account for an increasing share of US prescription drug spending. The adoption of biosimilars (similar to already approved biologic drugs) in the US could save $133 billion over the next four years, but access and adoption barriers may limit these savings. To help employers overcome these obstacles, the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) brought together seven regional coalitions and more than 60 employers for a series of roundtables across the country. The findings and recommendations were released today. Click title above for complete release.

PTSD, Depression and Addiction Soar Amid Skyrocketing Cases of Omicron

SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON January 20, 2022 – As Americans brace themselves for year three of pandemic life, their mental health has hit an all-time low, according to the Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition. Most notably, PTSD, depression and addiction soar amid skyrocketing cases of omicron. An alarming 1 in 4 American workers screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – up 54% in the past three months and up 136% when compared to pre-pandemic. Depression is surging – up 87% since fall (63% higher than before COVID-19). Click title above for complete release.

National Alliance Offers Recommendations for Employers to Address Gaps in Social Needs and Determinants of Health for US Workforce

WASHINGTON – January 13, 2022 – A key issue facing our healthcare system today is the impact of the social needs, social risks, and social determinants on today’s workforce. No longer just a public health concern, issues with economic instability, housing, transportation, and access to healthcare can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of employees and their families. To help employers address these factors, the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) conducted a yearlong learning collaborative with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy and the National Network of Public Health Institutes. The findings and recommendations were released today. Click title above for complete release.