Patients Over Profit Act; POP Act
Summary
The Patients Over Profit Act (POP Act) aims to prohibit common ownership between health insurance issuers and certain Medicare healthcare providers. This bill seeks to prevent potential conflicts of interest and ensure that healthcare decisions prioritize patient care over profit. The Act outlines divestment requirements for entities in violation and establishes civil actions for enforcement.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the POP Act would force companies with common ownership of health insurance and applicable Medicare providers to divest one or the other. This could lead to a restructuring of the healthcare market and potentially affect the availability and cost of healthcare services. The FTC would play a key role in reviewing divestitures and enforcing the Act.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces conflicts of interest in healthcare.
- May lead to more patient-centered healthcare decisions.
- Could increase competition among healthcare providers and insurers.
- Revenue disgorged from violations would be used to serve community health needs.
- FTC review aims to ensure divestitures benefit competition and the public.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for market disruption and increased administrative costs.
- Possible reduction in efficiency due to forced divestitures.
- May lead to higher healthcare costs in the short term.
- Could face legal challenges regarding its scope and enforcement.
- Uncertainty about the long-term impact on healthcare access and quality.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The POP Act's constitutional alignment is rooted in Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8). The Act's provisions related to Medicare Advantage and Part D fall under Congress's authority to provide for the general welfare (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1). The Act's enforcement mechanisms, including civil actions and FTC review, must adhere to due process requirements (Fifth Amendment).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).