Senate Democrats are close to a deal to lower prescription drug costs as part of a larger party-line package

[butters]

Schumer and Manchin have been working on this behind the scenes, and plan to 'submit a "finalized agreement" on allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies to a key Senate official "in the coming days" to see if it complies with the chamber's strict budget rules'

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/poli...sedgntp&cvid=bd6ad46d5e964a068810b24d34385106

Nancy LeaMond, the executive vice president of AARP, which advocates for older Americans, said the organization is "pleased that the Senate is ready to take action on a reconciliation package that includes allowing Medicare to be able to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs. This is monumental and years in the making."

AARP has run ads in West Virginia to defend Manchin on the issue as Republicans and pharmaceutical companies pressure him to reject any deal with fellow Democrats.

According to a summary of provisions obtained by NBC News, the emerging deal would empower Medicare to directly negotiate prescription drug prices starting in 2023 in order to lower costs for consumers. It would set a cap for out-of-pocket costs for a Medicare patient, at $2,000 per year, and allow it to be broken up into monthly payments. It also would impose a new "inflation rebate" policy forcing drug companies to send money back to consumers if they raise prices above inflation.

In addition, the deal would add new incentives for drug makers and insurers to limit drug price hikes, provide free vaccines for seniors, enhance premium and co-pay assistance for lower-income people and ensure the Department of Health and Human Services always negotiates for the maximum number of eligible drugs. And it would require negotiations to lower prices "if a drug company continues to block generic competition," the summary said.

 

[Pad_Foot]

Bet you the Republicans filibuster !!

 

[JohnnySavage]

I don't even know why this is an issue. OF COURSE Medicaid and Medicare should be able to negotiate prices. They are the biggest purchaser of the product and should be able to have a say in what they will pay.

 

[Rightguide]

We can be sure of one thing, there will be more oppressive totalitarianism hidden in the fine print, it's how they roll.

 

[HisArpy]

Wait. Brandon signs an exec order rolling back Trump's administration successes in reducing drug costs, and now your crowing about the Dem's restoring those reductions as if they're the ones who did all the heavy lifting in the first place?

Give me a break.

Yes I know that legislation isn't the same thing as an EO/deal with big pharma. THE POINT is that the D's ended that deal and you're all hip-hip-hurray about them backtracking on it. Giving us BACK what we already had isn't an accomplishment if you're the one who stole it in the first place.

 

[butters]

Bet you the Republicans filibuster !!

Bypassing a Republican filibuster​

Any agreement, which would aim to bypass a Republican filibuster under a special budget process, is unlikely to contain provisions like paid leave, child care and cash payments for raising kids, as Manchin, a pivotal vote in the 50-50 Senate, has said those issues should be dealt with through the regular 60-vote process.

(from the original link)

with AARP so solidly behind it, there may be a chance of getting it through with the hope of working on the other provisions at a later date. AARP's been running ads, and there are an awful lot of elderly conservatives (AARP members) who'd benefit from the price restrictions. I could only hope they'll run ads in more states than just W.V but who knows?

“We know we have the votes to pass Medicare negotiation through reconciliation, and we are committed to pushing back whenever PhRMA and their allies try to mislead the public and block Congress from lowering prescription drug prices,” said Nancy LeaMond, the chief advocacy officer for AARP.

https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-pr...manchin-support-reconciliation-bill-rcna34490

 

[RobDownSouth]

Eli Lilly announced yesterday that they were bringing the cost of insulin (with private insurance) down to the same level negotiated for Medicare/Medicaid: $35 maximum out of pocket, compared to the current rates of between $98 to $322 per month.

This is for their older, but popular products like Humalog.

Lilly Cuts Insulin Prices by 70% and Caps Patient Insulin Out-of-Pocket Costs at $35 Per Month

 

[ll74]

Eli Lilly announced yesterday that they were bringing the cost of insulin (with private insurance) down to the same level negotiated for Medicare/Medicaid: $35 maximum out of pocket, compared to the current rates of between $98 to $322 per month.

This is for their older, but popular products like Humalog.

Lilly Cuts Insulin Prices by 70% and Caps Patient Insulin Out-of-Pocket Costs at $35 Per Month

I'd like to see the negotiations that went on behind the scenes to bring this about.

 

[RobDownSouth]

I'd like to see the negotiations that went on behind the scenes to bring this about.

Perhaps the Republicans can appeal to the Extreme Court for relief....after all they specifically prevented insulin from being capped at $35 a month just last month! Lilly is thwarting teh will of Congress! Diabetics must be made to pay their "fair share" for their hedonistic lifestyle!