House approves hospital assessment, PBM transparency and reporting changes in health-care package

The Indiana House adopted the conference committee report on House Bill 1004 late Thursday, approving changes the bill’s sponsor described as steps to lower health-care costs and increase price transparency.

Representative Tom Carball, the bill’s presenter on the floor, said the final conference committee report removes an earlier price cap provision and instead orders a series of studies and reporting requirements designed to inform future policy. "We are asking OMB to develop and conduct a comprehensive study that will find the average hospital rate for these facility fees in Indiana," Carball said during floor debate, summarizing conference changes.

The nut graf: Supporters said the measure gives policymakers data and new reporting tools — including requiring hospitals to supply IRS Form 990 Schedule H details and PBMs to report negotiated rebates and acquisition costs — while opponents warned it could harm community hospitals and leave patients uncertain whether…