The federal government needs to take the lead to preempt state action

My recent op-ed in The Hill called for Congress to act on drug policy to prevent states from starting a race to the bottom. I drew an analogy with the Federal Office of Technology Assessment, a Nixon-era creation that informed Congress of the impact of new technologies. OTA prepared reports exploring the potential consequences of policy options. They used the best research tools available at the time -- systems analysis, cost benefit, and expert panels. The OTA did not have its own labs nor conduct original scientific research; it consisted of diverse expert panels to provide peer-review of major technologies. The OTA produced sound, practical research in the public’s interest.

Some have misconstrued mypiece as a call for a regulatory body to set prices -- similar to NICE in the UK. They haven't read carefully. Rather, I believe Congress is not getting good advice on how to regulate health care markets to ensure more competition but also valuable innovation.

Balancing spending and innovation is a long term challenge -- not unlike climate change -- and we need to get the policies right. Otherwise, patients today and tomorrow could be harmed. Congress needs sound, independent advice and it shouldn't come from existing agencies under pressure to cut costs, or from states that don't bear the externalities of poor decision-making. Maybe the Medicare Payment Advisory Commision is a better model. MedPAC gives Congress good advice on the Medicare program; it's time for Congress to get the same input for drugs and devices.