Dive Brief:
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and state lawmakers are pushing a new bill which would require all payers to disclose how much they pay for services at different provider locations.
- The bill would create an "All-Payer Claims Database" which would link cost information with provider quality data. Eleven other states have created similar healthcare pricing databases, including Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Tennessee, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Utah and Vermont.
- While many provider groups support the creation of such a database, the state's largest insurers strongly oppose it.
Dive Insight:
It's hardly a surprise that Regence Blue Shield and Premera Blue Cross oppose the creation of a claims database. If I were them, I'd consider that information proprietary and scream bloody murder if someone tried to gather it from me. But that doesn't mean the database is a bad idea -- it just means it's likely we'll see legal action by the Blues if the bill becomes law. I predict a protracted court fight.