Eyeing 2020, House empowers Medicare to negotiate drug costs
Associated PressWASHINGTON — 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 that Donald Trump made as a candidate in 2016, when he said he would “negotiate like crazy” to lower prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients. “Drugs that save lives will not be around,” said Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore. “Innovation goes on the rocks; lives will be lost.” House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California accused Democrats of putting politics over solutions, “catering to their progressive base by opening the door to a government takeover of our prescription drug market.” Republicans point to a major concern about the legislation: that it would result in fewer drugs coming to market. But Pelosi’s measure goes further with several unique features, including: — Medicare would be authorized to negotiate prices for costly medications, using a formula based on lower prices paid in other economically advanced countries.