Perspectives On Trump’s Plans For Medicare And Drug Pricing
Opinion writers analyze the proposals now in the mix regarding changes to these federal programs.
The New York Times:
A Republican Plan For Medicare Gets A Revival
Republicans think subsidies based on bids is an excellent way to reform Medicare, but they don’t laud the Affordable Care Act for adopting the same approach. When it comes to the A.C.A., of course, Democrats supported this mechanism, but they’ve opposed it when it comes to Medicare reform. Obamacare’s creation of the insurance exchanges and subsidies to expand coverage was a move leftward, supported by Democrats and opposed by Republicans. Anything that relies more heavily on private Medicare options would be a move rightward, and it would probably be opposed by Democrats and supported by Republicans. Such is Washington. (Aaron E. Carroll and Austin Frakt, 1/30)
Modern Healthcare:
Trump's Choice Of Mick Mulvaney Signals Trouble For Medicare
Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to leave Medicare alone. But in choosing Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina to head the Office of Management and Budget, he is signaling a huge fight lies ahead over the future of the program.
(Merrill Goozner, 1/28)
Bloomberg:
Trump's Crusade On Drug Pricing Puts Both Parties On The Spot
Donald Trump has a chance to rally his core supporters as well as left-wing Democrats, wrapping himself in the populist flag to take on the politically powerful drug industry. He is vowing to keep a campaign pledge to push legislation allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, a practice currently prohibited by law. Proponents say this would reduce drug prices and Medicare costs for the federal government. Medicare pays for about 29 percent of prescription drugs in the U.S. and would have considerable leverage. (Albert R. Hunt, 1/27)
