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As employers demand greater transparency into health care costs and quality, advanced data analytics are becoming essential tools in the fight against rising premiums.Oakland Today
The Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH), a coalition of 40 of the largest public and private health care purchasers in the U.S., recently released the results of its annual member survey. The survey found that affordability, data analytics and transparency, and advanced primary care are the top three priorities for America’s largest employers, who collectively spend over $350 billion annually on health care coverage for 21 million workers and family members.
Why it matters
As some of the country’s biggest buyers of health care services, the priorities and concerns of PBGH members provide important insights into the challenges facing the broader health care system. The survey results highlight the ongoing frustrations employers feel around rising health care costs, the need for better data and transparency to combat price increases, and the importance of accessible, high-quality primary care.
The details
The survey found that 37% of PBGH members are conducting a medical RFP this year, with another 23% conducting a pharmacy RFP. Additionally, 27% of members are already using a ‘non-traditional’ pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). This comes as new legislation, such as the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026, has increased transparency requirements and put PBM reform at the top of the agenda for both policymakers and purchasers.
The Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) recently presented the results of its annual member survey.Premiums are expected to increase by an average of 6-7% in 2026, with some individual market plans rising by more than 20%.The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026 has introduced new transparency requirements and put PBM reform as a top priority.
The players
Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH)
A nonprofit coalition of 40 of the largest public and private health care purchasers in the U.S., collectively spending more than $350 billion annually to provide coverage for 21 million workers and family members.
Elizabeth Mitchell
President and CEO of PBGH.
Michael Costello
PBGH Board Member and Total Rewards Commercial Strategy Director for NextEra Energy, Inc.
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What they’re saying
“These priorities coupled with the growing frustrations our members are expressing should be a wake-up call for many health care stakeholders who think the status quo is acceptable and that the days of blank checks will never end.”
— Elizabeth Mitchell, President and CEO of PBGH
“Thanks to new legislation and transparency requirements, the days of rising health care costs with little to no accountability are rapidly coming to an end.”
— Michael Costello, PBGH Board Member and Total Rewards Commercial Strategy Director for NextEra Energy, Inc.
What’s next
PBGH plans to continue working with its members to develop and refine tools that enable them to fully leverage newly available data and resources to combat rising health care costs and improve quality.
The takeaway
The survey results from PBGH highlight the ongoing challenges facing employers as they strive to provide affordable, high-quality health care coverage for their workers. The focus on affordability, data transparency, and advanced primary care signals a shift towards more strategic, data-driven purchasing decisions aimed at addressing the root causes of rising costs and improving overall health outcomes.