Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Long-Stalled Legislation Aimed At Increasing Competition From Cheaper Generic Drugs To Finally Move Forward
The Hill: Key House Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Deal To Advance Long-Stalled Drug Pricing Bill
Key House lawmakers have come to a bipartisan agreement to move forward long-stalled legislation aimed at lowering drug prices. The agreement between House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. and Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.), the panel’s top Republican, will allow the bills, aimed at increasing competition from cheaper generic drugs, to advance from the committee on a bipartisan vote expected later on Wednesday. (Sullivan, 4/3)
CQ: House Panel Advances Bipartisan Drug Pricing Bills
“I do want to thank the committee leadership for working with us on a number of drug pricing bills we will consider today,” said ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore. “We needed to ensure these bills didn’t unintentionally stifle competition and drive up drug prices.” The bills are primarily meant to ensure access to generic drugs, said Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J. (Mcintire, 4/3)
Meanwhile —
Modern Healthcare: Medicare Drug Price Arbitration Gains Steam In Congress
House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal (D-Mass.) will broach the idea of using arbitration to give HHS leverage with drug manufacturers over prices in a hearing next Tuesday. The committee plans to convene a hearing to discuss a bipartisan set of bills aimed at drug price transparency, the chairman said. But he said that he and the panel's Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) have discussed arbitration "in a general way" in their regular talks. He described those talks as "fluid," but confirmed that a policy like arbitration is possible. (Luthi, 4/3)
