General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPelosi bill aims to negotiate Medicare prices on top 250 drugs, penalize manufacturers that don't
Comply.
The House bill is a political marker for Democrats eager to show ahead of the 2020 presidential and congressional elections that they are willing to take significant measures to lower skyrocketing drug prices, which consistently poll as a top voter concern. The proposal is unlikely to gain support from Republicans who oppose allowing the federal government to negotiate because they say it violates free-market principles and is unlikely to be taken up by the Republican-controlled Senate.
The bill would allow the health and human services secretary to directly negotiate prices on the 250 drugs that pose the greatest total cost to Medicare and the U.S. health system that do not have at least two competitors. That would include some insulins, cancer treatments and specialty drugs. Those negotiated prices would then be available to all consumers, not just Medicare beneficiaries, according to the bill summary.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/pelosi-bill-aims-to-negotiate-medicare-prices-on-250-drugs-penalize-manufacturers-that-dont-comply/2019/09/09/8b21bd6a-d358-11e9-9610-fb56c5522e1c_story.html
When moscow mitch refuses to bring it to a vote the dems can use that against him in his election.
global1
(25,167 posts)Why throw a bone to the pharmaceutical companies to allow them to manipulate drug prices on those drugs beyond the 250?
This bill should include all drugs.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Last edited Tue Sep 10, 2019, 08:16 AM - Edit history (2)
From the article itself:
This expands the negotiating power for Medicare, and will expand affordable access to those who are not on Medicare for drugs that only one or two pharmacuetical companies provide. That is the most urgent need right now, and its something that even the most hard line free market types would have a hard time arguing with.
In any case, this bill will never see the light of day prior to 2021 in the Senate. It also would create much less of a backlash from the powerful Pharma lobby going into the 2020 elections than if you say "The federal government is essentially going to take over the Pharmacuetical industry via pricing on all drugs." Can you imagine what the GOP would do with that in the 2020 elections. YOUR BUSINESS WILL BE NEXT IF DEMOCRATS WIN!
Also - you have to give them something to lose if they don't comply - that's why we make plea deals with criminals if they cooperate and have something valuable that we need.
The bill would impose severe penalties on drugmakers that do not reach an agreement with the government or refuse to participate in the negotiation. They would face a noncompliance fee equal to 75 percent of the gross sales of the drug being negotiated from the previous year.
Drug manufacturers would face an inflation rebate and would have to pay the U.S. Treasury money if they raise prices above the rate of inflation on the more than 8,000 drugs in Medicare Part B, which covers expensive physician-administered drugs for cancer, dialysis and other illnesses, and Part D, its prescription drug benefit. If the manufacturer has raised the price above the rate of inflation since 2016, it can either lower the price or pay the price above inflation back to the Treasury, according to the summary. The proposal also aims to use its anticipated savings to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors, according to the summary.
KPN
(15,585 posts)that they gave to any one of the what, 89? GOP House votes to repeal the ACA.
Vinca
(50,168 posts)People are dying for lack of insulin in this country.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)Instead of making the perfect the enemybof the good, why not try to help get this passed?
Vinca
(50,168 posts)I'm almost insulted by her proposal. Keep in mind the Medicare drugs she speaks of are only for people who can afford the cost of Medicare Part D in addition to the regular cost of Medicare Don't get me started on that nightmare. All kinds of different policies and you have to investigate each to be sure they cover whatever drug you're on. In addition, you have to be able to see into the future and known what illness you will get in the coming year and what drugs will be prescribed. The government needs to set price guidelines for ALL drugs available for sale in the United States. Have you seen the ad for the drug that you can have stuck to the back of your arm so you don't have to go to the doctor for an injection the day after chemotherapy? I looked up the cost of that particular drug and it's $7,500 a dose. People on chemo would need that in multiples. It's nuts.
Its time we start prioritizing our efforts to reduce drug and health care costs for all those who need that help now and need it the most. Bringing down insulin costs for people 65 and over doesn't do a damn thing for those who are struggling to afford life sustaining insulin under the age of 65. It is tone deafness to just say "let's get a start with a certain group" while others are dying and going bankrupt now.
joshdawg
(2,637 posts)Count on it!
After all, he is the "Grim Reaper."
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Speaker Pelosi put forward a more progressive bill than anticipated and one she knows is dead on arrival in the Senate, said Chris Meekins, a research analyst at Raymond James, a financial services company and former Health and Human Services official."
IronLionZion
(45,256 posts)Moscow Mitch openly boasts of his obstruction. Dems have passed great bills through the house that he won't even allow a vote in the Senate. Mitch even refers to himself as the "Grim Reaper of Socialism" because he kills everything.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)Vinca
(50,168 posts)It has to do with people dying because they can't afford medication needed to sustain their lives.