Fitch Publishes U.S. Health Care Regulatory & Legislative Update

Fitch Ratings’ Health Care team has published the inaugural edition of its ‘Health Care Sector Legislative and Regulatory Register.’

This report provides a summary and review of key developments in the sector, and is intended to serve as a reference guide for investors evaluating the effect of regulatory and legislative developments on health care industry participants, including providers, manufacturers and distributors.

In this publication, Fitch analyzes the following issues: universal health care; Medicare prescription drug price negotiation; Prescription drug re-importation; and a pathway for generic biologics.

Social issues will become more prominent during the next 18 months, since the Democrats now have control of the Congress. In addition, the 2008 presidential and congressional campaigns are gaining momentum, and health care will remain an important issue to candidates, voters and industry. The cost of medical care continues to rise while the number of Americans without health insurance is increasing. Higher premiums and co-payments are making it difficult for employers to offer health insurance and for employees to afford it.

Fitch will periodically update this report going forward to reflect material developments in the legislative and regulatory environment associated with health care.

The full ‘U.S. Health Care Sector Legislative and Regulatory Register – Spring 2007′ can be found on the Fitch Ratings web site at www.fitchratings.com.

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