Push Toward Arbitration Model To Address High Drug Prices Leaves Progressive Democrats Unsatisfied
The idea behind arbitration is to have a third party help decide the price the government would pay for a number of high-priced drugs, but progressive Democrats say that falls short of what would be effective. “If we did come to an arbitration model, I think there would be a large ‘womp, womp,’” Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.). The discussion of Medicare's ability to negotiate prices came as a multitude of bipartisan bills addressing high drug prices moved forward in the House.
Stat:
Progressives Warn Democratic Leaders They Must Be Bolder On Drug Pricing
Progressive lawmakers are increasingly warning that they would forcefully oppose any effort to set up a system of arbitration to help lower drug prices, a model that would fall short of their demands to allow the federal government to negotiate with drug companies. It’s an idea that has the implicit backing of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose top health policy aide has been focused on the proposal in talks with other experts. The speaker’s backing of any eventually legislation could put it on the fast track for congressional action, though no bill on the issue has yet been introduced in Congress. (Florko, 4/30)
The Hill:
Progressives Push House Chairmen To Go Bolder On Drug Pricing
During a meeting, the Congressional Progressive Caucus urged House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) to support a far-reaching drug pricing bill that would allow the government to strip drug companies of their monopolies if they refuse to sell drugs at a reasonable price. The progressives also pushed back on a competing proposal under discussion that would allow an outside arbiter to help set drug prices, warning that the idea would be too weak. (Sullivan, 4/30)
CQ:
House Advances Drug Price Agenda, But Medicare Issues Unsettled
A House committee on Tuesday approved bills to address high drug prices as chairmen of two other committees overseeing Democrats’ drug plans met with the party’s progressive wing to discuss a big unsettled piece of their agenda: Medicare price negotiation. Even as committees have moved forward on bipartisan drug price bills that are supposed to be on the House floor in May, the party still hasn’t finalized how to approach one of its key campaign promises, direct Medicare negotiation with drug manufacturers. (Siddons, 4/30)
Modern Healthcare:
House Lawmakers Bash Trump's Medicare Drug Pricing Efforts
Republicans and Democrats on the House Energy & Commerce Committee's health subcommittee alleged that the Trump administration's efforts threaten patient access to needed drugs. Step therapy requires a patient to try a cheaper drug before a more expensive drug and prior authorization requires insurance to approve a prescription before it's issued. "It is not defensible in my view," said Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), who chairs the subcommittee. "I don't know who supports this thing." (King, 4/30)
Politico Pro:
House Judiciary Approves 4 Bills Boosting Generics
The House Judiciary Committee this afternoon approved by voice vote four bipartisan bills to boost generic drug competition. The most high-profile bill passed by the committee was the CREATES Act, H.R. 965 (116), which penalizes drugmakers that withhold samples from generic rivals. The bill could now move to the House floor for a vote. (Owermohle, 4/30)
