# Healthcare Costs, IDR and the No Surprises Act: David Merritt on What’s Driving Affordability Pressures

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/becker-s-healthcare-podcast-484089/healthcare-costs-idr-and-the-no-surprises-act-david-merritt-on-what-s-driving-affordability-pressures
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/becker-s-healthcare-podcast-484089/healthcare-costs-idr-and-the-no-surprises-act-david-merritt-on-what-s-driving-affordability-pressures.md
Podcast: [Becker’s Healthcare Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/becker-s-healthcare-podcast-484089)
Published: 2026-09-07T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcast.show/beckershealthcarepodcast/episode/155281945/
Audio file: https://media.blubrry.com/beckershealthcarepodcast/ins.blubrry.com/beckershealthcarepodcast/BKR_HC_Payer_David_Merritt_P_9-7-26_RD1.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1455

## Resource

In this episode, David Merritt, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, discusses rising healthcare costs, employer affordability pressures and the growing impact of the No Surprises Act’s IDR process. He also outlines potential reforms to curb excessive awards, increase transparency and slow premium growth.

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## Transcript

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