1 in 2 seriously ill Medicare enrollees struggles with bills
5 years, 2 months ago

1 in 2 seriously ill Medicare enrollees struggles with bills

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — More than half of seriously ill Medicare enrollees face financial hardships with medical bills, with prescription drug costs the leading problem, according to a study published Monday. The study in the journal Health Affairs comes as legislation to curb drug costs for seniors languishes in Congress and the growing financial exposure of patients with insurance is getting more attention in the nation’s health care debates. “Survey after survey shows that people are satisfied with Medicare, but this analysis shows that people with Medicare who have serious health problems can face very high out-of-pocket costs, and that’s an issue that hasn’t gotten much attention.” All told, 53% of seriously ill Medicare patients said they had major trouble paying their medical bills. “We did not expect to see this extent of financial hardship in the Medicare population,” said Michael Anne Kyle, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate at Harvard University.

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History of this topic

White House says prescription drug deals will produce billions in savings for taxpayers, seniors
4 months, 3 weeks ago

White House says prescription drug deals will produce billions in savings for taxpayers, seniors

LA Times  

Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden depart after speaking about the administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug costs during an event at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Md., on Thursday. Taxpayers are expected to save billions after the Biden administration signed deals with pharmaceutical companies to knock down the list prices for 10 of Medicare’s costliest drugs. “I’ve …

In a first, Medicare has set prices for 10 drugs, saving billions
4 months, 3 weeks ago

In a first, Medicare has set prices for 10 drugs, saving billions

Politico  

This marks the first time Biden and Harris have rallied together in public since the president dropped his bid for a second term, and offers a chance for Harris to tout one of the administration’s signature domestic achievements. Asked whether it’s fair to compare the negotiated prices to individual drugs’ list prices, which don’t take into account rebates, Dr. Meena …

Biden says that all 10 drugs targeted for the first Medicare price negotiations will participate
1 year, 3 months ago

Biden says that all 10 drugs targeted for the first Medicare price negotiations will participate

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that the manufacturers of all of the first 10 prescription drugs selected for Medicare’s first price negotiations have agreed to participate, clearing the way for talks that could lower their costs in coming years and give him a potential political win heading into next year’s election. In announcing that price negotiations will go …

Biden’s Medicare price negotiation push is broadly popular. But he’s not getting much credit
1 year, 3 months ago

Biden’s Medicare price negotiation push is broadly popular. But he’s not getting much credit

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is trumpeting Medicare’s new powers to negotiate directly with drugmakers on the cost of prescription medications — but a poll shows that any immediate political boost that Biden gets for enacting the overwhelmingly popular policy may be limited. Even among the Americans who support allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, approval of Biden’s handling of …

The Biden administration unveils the first 10 medications up for price negotiation
1 year, 4 months ago

The Biden administration unveils the first 10 medications up for price negotiation

NPR  

The Biden administration unveils the first 10 medications up for price negotiation A MARTÍNEZ, HOST: About a quarter of adults in the U.S. say they have to take four or more prescription medications. The Biden administration has picked 10 medications to start negotiating lower prices for Medicare patients, and it's overriding an argument from the pharmaceutical industry that reduced profits …

10 drugs targeted for Medicare price negotiations as Biden pitches cost reductions
1 year, 4 months ago

10 drugs targeted for Medicare price negotiations as Biden pitches cost reductions

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden touted the potential cost savings of Medicare’s first-ever price negotiations for widely used prescription drugs on Tuesday as he struggles to convince Americans that he’s improved their lives as he runs for reelection. Currently, pharmacy benefit managers that run Medicare prescription plans negotiate rebates off a drug’s price. The new drug price negotiations aim “to …

Biden targets 10 drugs for Medicare price negotiations
1 year, 4 months ago

Biden targets 10 drugs for Medicare price negotiations

LA Times  

President Biden spoke at Irvine Valley College on Oct, 14, 2022, about his actions to protect and strengthen Medicare and Social Security. President Biden touted the potential cost savings of Medicare‘s first-ever price negotiations for widely used prescription drugs on Tuesday as he struggles to convince Americans that he’s improved their lives as he runs for reelection. Currently, pharmacy benefit …

Opinion: Here’s Big Pharma’s playbook to bankrupt Americans who can’t afford medications
1 year, 4 months ago

Opinion: Here’s Big Pharma’s playbook to bankrupt Americans who can’t afford medications

LA Times  

America’s pharmaceutical giants are now suing to block the federal government’s first effort at drug price regulation. Last year’s Inflation Reduction Act included what on its face seems a modest proposal: The federal government would for the first time be empowered to negotiate prices Medicare pays for drugs — but only for 10 very expensive medicines beginning in 2026. Those …

What's a fair price for a prescription drug? Medicare's about to weigh in
1 year, 5 months ago

What's a fair price for a prescription drug? Medicare's about to weigh in

NPR  

What's a fair price for a prescription drug? Medicare can push back and signal its priorities to drugmakers Although this unprecedented negotiation process presents several tricky decisions for Medicare, experts said the need to keep finding better treatments for dire diseases looms largest. "This chronic tension between trying to make sure that we keep health care affordable and that we …

Biden launches new push to limit health care costs, hoping to show he can save money for families
1 year, 6 months ago

Biden launches new push to limit health care costs, hoping to show he can save money for families

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Joe Biden on Friday plans to roll out a …

Medicaid plans to audit the prices of costliest drugs
1 year, 7 months ago

Medicaid plans to audit the prices of costliest drugs

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration said Tuesday it is planning to conduct a yearly audit to verify the prices drug makers charge on a handful of the costliest prescriptions covered by Medicaid. Under the proposal, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would require as many as 10 drug makers every year to furnish the government with proprietary and non-proprietary …

Biden says he’s focused ‘intensely’ on lowering drug costs
1 year, 9 months ago

Biden says he’s focused ‘intensely’ on lowering drug costs

Associated Press  

LAS VEGAS — President Joe Biden on Wednesday said his administration was focused “intensely” on lowering health care costs and took aim at “MAGA” Republicans who he said are intent on dialing back Medicare coverage for millions of Americans. “Let’s protect the lower prescription drug costs for everyone” Already, the legislation caps the price of insulin at $35 for disabled …

Biden pushing lower prescription drug costs in midterm press
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden pushing lower prescription drug costs in midterm press

Associated Press  

IRVINE, California — President Joe Biden is highlighting his administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug costs on Friday as part of his three-state Western tour this week, as he confronts a sobering inflation report in the waning weeks before midterm elections. And on a month-to-month basis, such “core” prices soared 0.6% for a second straight time, defying expectations for a …

EXPLAINER: Lower prescription prices to take time in new law
2 years, 4 months ago

EXPLAINER: Lower prescription prices to take time in new law

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — After decades of failed attempts, Democrats passed legislation that aims to rein in the soaring costs of drugs for some in the United States. That new bargaining power won’t kick in until 2025, when Medicare is able to haggle over the price of 10 drugs covered by its prescription plan. In the first year, Medicare will be allowed …

This Is The Most Underappreciated Part Of The Democratic Prescription Drug Bill
2 years, 5 months ago

This Is The Most Underappreciated Part Of The Democratic Prescription Drug Bill

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Lisa McRipley has been living with multiple sclerosis for more than a decade. “I’m asking my parents … and I should be in a position where I’m helping them at this time, not the other way around.” McRipley’s story is by no means unusual or limited to people with MS. High cost also appears to discourage Medicare …

Deal on Capitol Hill could ease seniors’ health costs
2 years, 5 months ago

Deal on Capitol Hill could ease seniors’ health costs

Associated Press  

A deal on Capitol Hill that could cut prescription drug costs for millions of Medicare beneficiaries was cautiously cheered by older Americans and their advocates Thursday even as many worried it might never come to fruition. The health care and climate agreement struck by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin includes landmark provisions that could help …

TWO-THIRDS of Americans are putting off medical care they need
2 years, 6 months ago

TWO-THIRDS of Americans are putting off medical care they need

Daily Mail  

Two-thirds of Americans are putting off medical care they need because of the cost while half are struggling to meet existing debts, a survey revealed. Overall, Wyoming had the biggest medical debt per person while Massachusetts had the lowest 'They took the joy of my twins birth': Mother vents anguish at hospitals over crippling healthcare costs A Chicago mother has …

High court rules against government on drug reimbursement
2 years, 6 months ago

High court rules against government on drug reimbursement

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court said Wednesday that the federal government improperly lowered drug reimbursement payments to hospitals and clinics that serve low-income communities, a reduction that cost the facilities billions of dollars. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the court that “absent a survey of hospitals’ acquisition costs” the Department of Health and Human Services “may not vary the reimbursement …

Real Medicare drug savings in Dems’ bill — but not overnight
3 years, 1 month ago

Real Medicare drug savings in Dems’ bill — but not overnight

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Medicare enrollees who take expensive medicines could save thousands of dollars a year under the Democrats’ sweeping social agenda bill, but those dividends won’t come overnight. A huge development would follow in 2024: the first-ever cap on out-of-pocket costs for nearly 50 million seniors in Medicare’s Part D pharmacy drug program. Seniors would see the first fruits of …

Column: Letting Medicare negotiate drug prices won’t help as much as you think
3 years, 2 months ago

Column: Letting Medicare negotiate drug prices won’t help as much as you think

LA Times  

Drug prices are a never-ending concern for Americans, so why can’t Congress do anything about them? Foreign countries whose drug prices are often cited as possible benchmarks for U.S. healthcare payers don’t enter talks with one arm tied behind their backs — they can set prices based on measures of effectiveness, value and the cost of research and development. “Brand-name …

Dems see progress in adding drug cost curbs to budget bill
3 years, 2 months ago

Dems see progress in adding drug cost curbs to budget bill

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Democrats have made significant progress toward adding compromise provisions curbing …

Column: Drugmakers see disaster in Medicare negotiating prices. Don’t listen to them
3 years, 3 months ago

Column: Drugmakers see disaster in Medicare negotiating prices. Don’t listen to them

LA Times  

The pharmaceutical industry is pushing back against a Democratic bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. The industry said in an open letter to Congress that letting Medicare haggle on behalf of its 63 million beneficiaries would give the government “the power to set the price of medicines.” Leaders of nearly two dozen drug manufacturers said that though …

To curb drug prices, Democrats still seeking a balance
3 years, 6 months ago

To curb drug prices, Democrats still seeking a balance

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Democrats are committed to passing legislation this year to curb prescription drug prices, but they’re still disagreeing on how to cut costs for patients and taxpayers while preserving profits that lure investors to back potentially promising treatments. Wyden said he personally is convinced that “it’s long past time to give Medicare the authority to negotiate better prices for …

Trump plan to curb drug costs dealt setback in court
4 years ago

Trump plan to curb drug costs dealt setback in court

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A late-term maneuver by President Donald Trump to use lower drug prices paid overseas to limit some of Medicare’s own costs suffered a legal setback Wednesday that appears likely to keep the policy from taking effect before the president leaves office. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake in Baltimore issued a nationwide injunction that prevents the Centers for …

Trump makes late-term bid to lower prescription drug costs
4 years, 1 month ago

Trump makes late-term bid to lower prescription drug costs

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Trying to close out major unfinished business, the Trump administration issued regulations Friday that could lower the prices Americans pay for many prescription drugs. The pharmaceutical industry said Trump’s approach would give foreign governments the “upper hand” in deciding the value of medicines in the U.S. and vowed to fight it. “The administration is willing to upend the …

Trump says he’ll sign order cutting drug prices ‘very soon’
4 years, 5 months ago

Trump says he’ll sign order cutting drug prices ‘very soon’

Live Mint  

President Donald Trump said he plans to sign a “very inclusive” health-care plan “very soon” -- perhaps as soon as Sunday -- that will result in Americans paying significantly less for pharmaceutical drugs. “We’re going to bring our drug prices down to levels that nobody ever thought possible.”While he provided few details Friday, on July 24, Trump announced plans for …

US: Trump signs orders to force lower prices for medications
4 years, 5 months ago

US: Trump signs orders to force lower prices for medications

Al Jazeera  

The measures could lower notoriously high medication prices for some in the US as Trump faces a fraught election season. President Donald Trump on Friday signed four executive orders aimed at lowering some prices that US citizens pay for prescription drugs that may have appeal as he faces an uphill re-election battle and criticism over his handling of the coronavirus …

Eyeing 2020, House empowers Medicare to negotiate drug costs
5 years ago

Eyeing 2020, House empowers Medicare to negotiate drug costs

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Sharpening their 2020 election message, House Democrats on Thursday pushed through legislation that would empower Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and offer new benefits for seniors. “I think that it is going to be too hot to handle for the Republicans,” said Pelosi, D-Calif. She is claiming bragging rights because her bill would deliver on the promise …

The big healthcare issue no 2020 candidate is addressing
5 years, 4 months ago

The big healthcare issue no 2020 candidate is addressing

Salon  

There is something pretty basic — and important — about this division we’re seeing among Democratic candidates about healthcare that, surprisingly, is too often missing from the discussion — prices of providing health. Indeed, the discussion of Medicare for All with or without private insurers versus incrementally expanding Obamacare versus other forms of extending the human right to healthcare is …

Drug cost bill advances but GOP resistance spells trouble
5 years, 5 months ago

Drug cost bill advances but GOP resistance spells trouble

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A prescription drug compromise that would lower costs for Medicare recipients and save billions for Medicare and Medicaid cleared a key hurdle in the Senate on Thursday, but Republican resistance signaled trouble as the legislation faces floor consideration. Grassley raised the specter that Trump could revert to that position and cut a deal with Democrats if Senate Republicans …

GOP, Dems offer compromise to reduce drug costs for seniors
5 years, 5 months ago

GOP, Dems offer compromise to reduce drug costs for seniors

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Two veteran senators — a Republican and a Democrat — unveiled compromise legislation Tuesday to reduce prescription drug costs for millions of Medicare recipients, while saving money for federal and state health care programs serving seniors and low-income people. Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley and Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden said the bill would for the first time limit drug …

Congress has ambitious agenda tackling health care costs
5 years, 6 months ago

Congress has ambitious agenda tackling health care costs

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are trying to set aside their irreconcilable differences over the Obama-era Affordable Care Act and work to reach bipartisan agreement on a more immediate health care issue, lowering costs for people who already have coverage. “Frankly, the issue is so urgent for Americans who are facing increasing drug costs that to us it’s really not about who …

One-third of uninsured can’t afford to take drugs as prescribed, says government report
5 years, 9 months ago

One-third of uninsured can’t afford to take drugs as prescribed, says government report

CNN  

CNN — One-third of uninsured Americans did not take their medicine as prescribed to try to lower their costs, a new government report found. In 2017, nearly 60% of adults aged 18 to 64 reported being prescribed drugs over the past 12 months, according to the study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released Tuesday. The report looked …

Trump’s cuts to Medicare hospital payments trigger an outcry
5 years, 9 months ago

Trump’s cuts to Medicare hospital payments trigger an outcry

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Democrats are accusing President Donald Trump of going back on his campaign promise to protect Medicare after he introduced a 2020 budget that calls for steep cuts in Medicare payments to hospitals. The budget embodies long-standing Republican ambitions “to make Medicare wither on the vine,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday. “Balderdash.” The administration argues that the budget …

Congress mulls cap on what Medicare enrollees pay for drugs
5 years, 10 months ago

Congress mulls cap on what Medicare enrollees pay for drugs

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — With health care a top issue for American voters, Congress may actually be moving toward doing something this year to address the high cost of prescription drugs. High on the list is capping out-of-pocket costs for participants in Medicare’s popular Part D prescription drug program, which has a loophole that’s left some beneficiaries with bills rivaling a mortgage …

Trump Administration Wants To Cut Drug Prices By Eliminating Middlemen's Rebates
5 years, 11 months ago

Trump Administration Wants To Cut Drug Prices By Eliminating Middlemen's Rebates

NPR  

Trump Administration Wants To Cut Drug Prices By Eliminating Middlemen's Rebates Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Trump administration is proposing major changes in how prescription drugs are priced and paid for by Medicare. Express Scripts, the second-largest pharmacy benefit manager, warned that the changes could drive up premiums for Medicare's prescription drug insurance …

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