Thanks to Healthcare Dive, the FEHBlog found the section by section summary of the revised S. 1895 bill reference in yesterday[s post. The Healthcare Dive article notes that “The latest details emerging on legislation to ban surprise medical billing includes nuggets [found in the summary] meant to pacify payers and providers, but is not pleasing either.”

Those nuggets certainly disturb the FEHBlog who knows that the surprise billing / flying the pirate flag issue cannot be solved with any sort of provider / health plan arbitration. That outcome will only increase overall costs and encourage providers to leave health plan networks. Ill advised.  The weeks Econtalk podcast episode concerns the strength of vested interests and you certainly see that weight being thrown around in the surprise billing and prescription drug cost legislative efforts.

In other news, Govexec.com reports that the Congressional conference report on the FY 2020 defense authorization bill, so-call must pass legislation, would block any further dismantlement of OPM at least until the National Academy of Public Administration submits to Congress a study on the OPM-GSA merger (Section 1112).  Title 76 of the conference report would create a 12 week long paid parental leave plan for federal employees effective October 1, 2020. The House is expected to consider the conference report before the Senate.