HVBA Houston, TX Roadshow 2025 – A Success!

By Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA) - We are thrilled to share the highlights of our recent event, on May 14th in Houston, TX, which was an unforgettable experience for all attendees. “This event was a powerful demonstration of the strength, collaboration, and forward momentum of our community,” said Jake Velie, Vice Chairman & President of the Health & Voluntary Benefits Association (HVBA) and Chairman and CEO of National Integrative Health. “Our goal was to create a space where professionals could learn, connect, and make meaningful contributions—and we delivered on that promise. But more importantly, this event showcased HVBA’s unwavering commitment to driving innovation into the marketplace.” Read Full Announcement…

HVBA Article Summary

1. HVBA’s Innovation Leadership: The HVBA Innovation Summit in Houston highlighted the association’s role as a catalyst for marketplace transformation—introducing breakthrough solutions in pharmacy, data analytics, and employer risk management. HVBA continues to lead by bringing first-to-market strategies that help brokers and employers control healthcare costs more effectively.

2. Broker-Centric Programming and Industry Collaboration: Attendees received exclusive insights into cutting-edge voluntary benefits strategies through sessions focused on practical tools, sales enablement, and disruptive product offerings. Featuring expert speakers from organizations like Fetch Pet Insurance, Juice Financial, NWVSA, and more, the event empowered brokers to expand their portfolios and better serve employer clients.

3. Community Engagement and Memorable Experiences: From a vibrant networking reception at The Westin Houston Medical Center/Museum District to a charity auction that raised over $22,000 for Trinity Oaks, the event blended business impact with social connection. Participants praised the quality of content, meaningful peer interaction, and the opportunity to support a cause deeply valued by the HVBA community.

Provision in Spending Bill Could Protect Health Insurers From AI-Accountability

By Wendell Potter and Joey Rettino - Tucked into House Republican’s federal budget reconciliation bill is a provision that hasn’t made many headlines — but it should. The measure calls for a sweeping 10-year freeze on any state or local regulation of artificial intelligence systems. Introduced by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Kentucky), the added language states that “no State or political subdivision thereof may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems” for the next decade. Read Full Article…

HVBA Article Summary

1. Provision Could Preempt State AI Safeguards in Healthcare: A controversial rider in the new federal tax and spending bill would override state-level laws that regulate how insurers use AI in care decisions—effectively shielding health insurers from accountability for harmful algorithmic practices. This would nullify laws in states like California, Colorado, and New York that currently mandate transparency, anti-discrimination measures, and bias audits when AI is used in clinical or employment decisions.

2. Critics Warn of Reduced Patient Protections and Unchecked Corporate Power: Over 100 advocacy organizations and technologists, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have urged Congress to reject the provision, arguing that it grants a "free pass" to companies deploying AI in high-stakes healthcare scenarios. Critics say the bill would block accountability for AI-driven errors or discriminatory outcomes, allowing insurers to inappropriately deny care with impunity.

3. Bill Also Pushes AI Use in Medicare Fraud Detection—Raising New Risks: A separate clause in the bill directs HHS to use AI to detect fraud and overpayments in traditional Medicare. Experts caution that many flagged cases involve minor documentation issues rather than intentional fraud, and fear that algorithmic decision-making could result in wrongful payment denials or clawbacks. This dual expansion—limiting oversight while boosting AI enforcement—could disproportionately harm patients and providers, especially without clear avenues for appeal or correction.

Evaluation of Remote Monitoring Policies and Benefits – A New Report

By Center for Connected Health Policy - An April 2025 report by Peterson Center on Healthcare, Evolving Remote Monitoring: An Evidence-Based Approach to Coverage and Payment, assesses remote patient monitoring (RPM) utilization across Medicare and Medicaid populations to provide policy insights around how remote monitoring technologies can improve clinical outcomes as well as reduce spending. The report looks at current coverage and reimbursement policies applicable to remote monitoring, the clinical benefits remote monitoring has been shown to provide, and recommendations to better align policies with clinical evidence. Read Full Article…

HVBA Article Summary

1. RPM Use and Clinical Value Are Growing—but Vary by Condition: Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) are increasingly used to manage chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders. Hypertension accounts for 57% of Medicare RPM episodes, and musculoskeletal disorders dominate RTM use. RPM’s clinical benefits—such as medication adjustment for blood pressure or enhanced pain relief in physical therapy—are most effective during specific treatment windows (e.g., the first 6 months for hypertension). However, only 1% of Medicare beneficiaries used RPM in 2023, indicating substantial room for growth.

2. Policy Recommendations Emphasize Evidence-Based Access and Equity: The report recommends aligning RPM coverage with evidence-supported conditions and durations, expanding access to high-impact monitoring tools—particularly in rural areas—and improving data specificity in billing. Current geographic payment variations may unintentionally limit availability in low-cost rural regions, despite these areas having greater unmet health needs. Improved access and clearer claims data could drive smarter policy refinements and more equitable adoption.

3. Medicare Data Shows Promising Trends but Gaps Remain: RPM use within Medicare rose sharply from 44,500 users in 2019 to 451,000 in 2023, with the average duration of continuous use growing from 1.7 to 5.2 months. Yet, RTM adoption remains extremely low (<0.2% of beneficiaries). Moreover, Medicare currently does not require billing claims to specify the treated condition or device used, limiting insights into effectiveness and utilization trends. The report cautions that adding complexity to RPM billing without improving the evidence base may risk reducing provider adoption.

Hospitals step up efforts to curb workplace violence

By Kelly Gooch - As reports of violence at hospitals and medical centers continue to reverberate across the U.S., healthcare leaders are focusing on the safety of employees, patients and visitors. To this end, hospitals and health systems are more tightly integrating violence prevention into their broader human resources and well-being strategies. Read Full Article… 

HVBA Article Summary

1. Health Systems Expand Prevention Infrastructure to Address Rising Workplace Violence: Carson Tahoe Health and WellSpan Health have implemented systemwide workplace violence prevention strategies that combine structural, technological, and cultural changes. Carson Tahoe created a steering committee with subcommittees focused on education, safety rounding, and alert systems via Epic. Meanwhile, WellSpan invested over $20 million in security upgrades—such as metal detectors, armed officers, and real-time alerts—resulting in a 55% drop in workplace violence injuries causing time off. Both systems emphasize employee education and proactive reporting to foster psychological safety.

2. Leadership Engagement and Real-Time Response Are Central to Safety Culture: Leaders at both systems play an active role in reinforcing safety. Carson Tahoe’s HR chief personally follows up with employees affected by violence to ensure support access and continuous improvement. WellSpan’s senior executives receive daily incident reports and lead efforts through regional huddles and leadership accountability. This hands-on approach reinforces transparency and cultivates a culture of learning rather than punishment.

3. Policy Momentum Builds as States and Congress Respond to Industry Urgency: Recent federal and state efforts are aligning with health systems’ push for safer care environments. Congress introduced legislation to impose federal criminal penalties for assaulting hospital employees, and Vermont enacted a new law aimed at preventing hospital workplace violence. These legislative moves underscore a growing recognition that protecting healthcare workers requires both organizational and governmental action.

Democrats' drug price bill echoes Trump's executive order: What now?

By Allison Bell - Rep. Ro Khanna — one of most liberal members of the House — has introduced a bill that puts President Donald Trump's latest prescription drug price executive order in legislative language. Trump's executive order calls for drug manufacturers to limit themselves to charging U.S. patients roughly what they charge patients in other rich countries. Read Full Article… ^{_{(Subscription required)}} 

HVBA Article Summary

1. Khanna’s Bipartisan Drug Pricing Bill Mirrors Executive Order Goals: The "Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act," introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna and supported by both Democrats and Republicans, includes key provisions for most-favored-nation (international reference) pricing, antitrust enforcement, and drug importation. These elements align closely with the objectives of the recent executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug costs through global pricing benchmarks and increased market competition.

2. Legislative Landscape Features Multiple Proposals with Overlapping Aims: While Khanna’s bill most directly echoes the executive order, other bills—such as Sen. Josh Hawley’s "Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act" and Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s "Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act"—also target drug price reduction via similar mechanisms. These overlapping efforts reflect growing bipartisan consensus around the need for systemic change in U.S. drug pricing policy.

3. Outlook and Impact Remain Uncertain Amid Political and Economic Complexities: Despite bipartisan interest, the path forward is unclear. Khanna's bill may lack traction among Republican leaders and could be excluded from broader budget legislation. Additionally, experts like economist Margaret Kyle caution that brand-name drug companies may use legal and logistical tactics to weaken the impact of most-favored-nation laws, leaving the potential cost savings for employers and consumers uncertain.

Regeneron’s $256M bid wins 23andMe bankruptcy auction

By Conor Hale - The drugmaker Regeneron has emerged as the winner of a bankruptcy auction for 23andMe and its DNA database, with plans to incorporate its findings within its own research while continuing to offer its consumer testing services. The company has signed up to pay $256 million for 23andMe and nearly all of its assets, including its R&D services operations as well as its biobank of collected samples. The deal, which is subject to court approval, does not cover 23andMe’s Lemonaid Health telemedicine and virtual pharmacy business. Read Full Article…

HVBA Article Summary

1. Regeneron Acquires 23andMe to Advance Genetic Medicine: Regeneron plans to operate 23andMe as a subsidiary, using its extensive DNA database—gathered from around 15 million users—to bolster its genetic research and drug development efforts. The deal, expected to close in Q3 2025, will undergo court review to ensure compliance with privacy and ethical standards.

2. Commitment to Data Privacy and Oversight: Regeneron emphasized its dedication to safeguarding user data through robust privacy and security measures. It pledged transparency around data usage and will submit its practices to scrutiny by a court-appointed Customer Privacy Ombudsman, in response to public concerns raised during 23andMe's bankruptcy proceedings.

3. Strategic Win Over Former CEO Amid Company Decline: Regeneron outbid 23andMe co-founder Anne Wojcicki, who had attempted to regain control of the company after its stock plummeted 97% post-SPAC merger. The acquisition follows years of financial turmoil for 23andMe, including program cuts and mass layoffs, culminating in its March 2025 bankruptcy filing.

Record financial anxiety grips U.S. adults, taking toll on mental and physical health

By Alan Goforth - A record number of U.S. adults are anxious about their financial health, and this anxiety also is affecting their mental and physical health. “Americans aren’t just acknowledging the importance of addressing their mental and physical health holistically -- they’re reshaping their daily lives around it,” said Dana Udall, Ph.D., vice president of behavioral health at Included Health. Read Full Article… ^{_{(Subscription required)}}

HVBA Article Summary

1. Financial Stress Is Deeply Linked to Mental Health Challenges: A majority of Americans—especially younger and middle-aged adults—are experiencing record-high levels of financial anxiety, with 76% feeling alone in managing money-related worries. This financial stress is taking a clear toll on mental health, contributing to rising anxiety and declining wellbeing, particularly as the cost of health care itself becomes a major barrier to accessing support.

2. Affordability Is Blocking Access to Mental Health Services: Nearly one-third of Americans say the high cost of health care has negatively affected their mental health, and 29% cite affordability as the top reason they are not seeking professional help. Despite the widespread need, only 14% are currently receiving therapy or counseling—underscoring a major access gap in the system.

3. Americans Are Prioritizing Self-Care, but Need Holistic Support: While 71% of respondents use regular physical activity and other self-care practices like sleep and time with loved ones to support their mental wellbeing, experts stress that these efforts should be matched by affordable, integrated mental health care. A holistic approach that considers mental, physical, social, and financial health is essential for building resilience during high-stress periods.

Strada and Nayya enter agreement to accelerate the future of employee benefits

By Nayya - Strada, a leader in end-to-end payroll, human capital, and financial management solutions, today announced an agreement with Nayya to deliver an integrated benefits administration solution built on the Workday platform. This collaboration unites two category leaders - Strada and Nayya - to set a new standard in modern, employee-centric benefits administration to serve Workday customers. Read Full Announcement…

HVBA Article Summary

1. Workday-Native Integration Simplifies Benefits Administration: Strada and Nayya’s joint solution is built directly within the Workday platform, eliminating the need for third-party systems, file transfers, or workflow disruptions. This native integration ensures accurate, centralized employee data, simplifies audits, and significantly reduces administrative errors and complexity.

2. AI-Powered, Personalized Benefits Guidance Enhances Employee Experience: Nayya uses health, financial, and lifestyle data to deliver personalized, AI-driven benefits recommendations, helping employees make smarter decisions that maximize value and satisfaction—transforming benefits selection from a confusing process into an optimized, employee-centric experience.

3. Seamless Migration with Proven Employer Impact: Strada's Workday Benefits Administration enables employers to transition from outdated systems without changing their existing operations. Early adopters report up to 50% cost savings, 84% fewer support cases, and 70% fewer employee calls, demonstrating the measurable impact of this intelligent, next-generation platform.