Trump’s Mandate That Lawmakers Should ‘Do More’ On Drug Prices Greeted With Mixed Reactions
While many view high drug prices as one of the few bipartisan issues Congress may be able to tackle in the next two years, some lawmakers were confused by or derisive of the policy proposals President Donald Trump laid out in his State of the Union address. Meanwhile, a fact check of Trump's speech finds that he was using selective statistics that exaggerate what seems to be a slowdown in drug price increases.
Stat:
In State Of The Union, Trump Tells Congress: 'Do More' To Lower Drug Prices
In his State of the Union address Tuesday, President Trump touted his administration’s work to reduce the price of prescription drugs and called on Congress to take further action. But his remarks on the issue were light on specifics — and in some cases, misleading. “Already, as a result of my administration’s efforts, in 2018 drug prices experienced their single largest decline in 46 years,” Trump said. ...Trump was instead referring to a little-known statistical measurement called the consumer price index for drugs, which did show such a decline. However, researchers have found that particular measure diverges with other ways of estimating drug spending. (Swetlitz, 2/5)
Stat:
Democrats Can’t Decide How To React To Trump’s Call For ‘More’ On Drug Pricing
President Trump on Tuesday left Congress a two-syllable mandate on the issue of prescription drug pricing: “Do more.” To some Democrats, the words presented an open invitation to collaborate. Others were left confused as to what, exactly, the White House wants. In conversations with reporters following Trump’s second State of the Union address, the divide among Trump’s opposition party was apparent — between lawmakers prepared to cross partisan lines, those entirely opposed to Trump’s approach, and others waiting for more detailed direction. (Florko and Facher, 2/6)
The Associated Press:
Fact Check: Trump On Prescription Drug Pricing
Trump is selectively citing statistics to exaggerate what seems to be a slowdown in prices. A broader look at the data shows that drug prices are still rising, but more moderately. Some independent experts say criticism from Trump and congressional Democrats may be causing pharmaceutical companies to show restraint. The Consumer Price Index for prescription drugs shows a 0.6 percent reduction in prices in December 2018 when compared with December 2017, the biggest drop in nearly 50 years. The government index tracks a set of medications including brand drugs and generics. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 2/5)
Kaiser Health News:
In State Of The Union Address, Trump Vows To Lower ‘Unfair’ Drug Prices
It was not the centerpiece, but health was a persistent theme in President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address at the Capitol on Tuesday night. Although the administration has focused more on issues of trade, taxes and immigration, the president laid out a series of health-related goals, including some that even Democrats indicated could be areas of bipartisan negotiation or compromise. Trump vowed to take on prescription drug prices, pursue an end to the HIV epidemic and boost funding for childhood cancers. (Rovner, 2/6)
Politico:
Democrats Bat Away Trump's Olive Branch On Drug Pricing
President Donald Trump keeps telling Democrats he wants a big bipartisan drug pricing deal. But Democrats don't believe him — and are rolling out a series of bills that would set the framework for talks far to the left, defying Trump to stand in the way. At the center of that effort is empowering Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices — a top liberal priority that's faced near-universal opposition from Republicans, yet won Trump's support when he ran for president. (Cancryn and Owermohle, 2/5)
