How Drug Pricing Could Save The Infrastructure Deal
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN's Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
CNN:
Democrats Look To Drug Spending To Rescue Infrastructure Deal
Blocked from boosting revenues through enhanced Internal Revenue Service enforcement, congressional Democrats are turning to reducing drug spending as a possible way to salvage their $600 billion bipartisan infrastructure deal. Negotiators are looking for billions of dollars in revenue for the infrastructure package now that Republicans have nixed the idea of bolstering the IRS, which lawmakers have suggested could bring in as much as an additional $100 billion over a decade. (Luhby, 7/19)
FiercePharma:
Congress Has A 'Time-Limited Window' To Shake Up Drug Pricing, Employers, Health Groups Say
A chance for meaningful drug pricing reform is upon us, dozens of purchasers, healthcare and employer groups contend. But Congress needs to capitalize on its “time-limited” opportunity, or the problem could stagnate or worsen. In a letter to a bipartisan group of lawmakers, groups comprised of Families USA, Lower Drug Prices Now, Patients for Affordable Drugs and more called on (PDF) Congress to empower Medicare and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate drug prices, install price-hike limits and redesign Medicare Part D to slash costs for beneficiaries and taxpayers. (Kansteiner, 7/14)
Axios:
Dems Hatch Plan To Pay For Soft Infrastructure With Renegotiated Drug Prices
Senate Democrats have a new pay-for to finance a "soft" infrastructure bill: renegotiating Medicare prescription drug prices to save $600 billion — setting up a battle between progressives and well-capitalized drug companies. Why it matters: By targeting pharma, Democrats are opening up a funding stream President Biden didn't initially include in his $4 trillion Build Back Better agenda. It relied on hiking taxes on corporations and Americans earning over $400,000. (Nichols, 7/15)
The Hill:
AARP Pressing Congress To Lower Drug Prices
AARP is ramping up pressure on Congress, launching a digital ad campaign on Monday to call on lawmakers to lower prescription drug prices. The seven-figure ad campaign will focus on the Washington, D.C., area, appearing in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Politico and Axios through July 30. (Coleman, 7/19)
Axios:
Trump's Prescription Drug Rule Could Help Fund Biden's Policies
Repealing one of former President Trump's last big moves on drug pricing may go a long way toward helping Democrats pay for two of their big legislative priorities. The big picture: Repealing Trump's regulations on drug rebates could give Democrats upwards of $100 billion to help pay for other priorities. Where it stands: Repealing Trump's rebate rule has been pitched as a way to help pay for both a bipartisan infrastructure deal and Democrats' partisan "soft infrastructure" push. (Owens, 7/21)
