 Health Care |
Health Care |
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AARP, P4AD blast bill extending drugmakers' exemption from Medicare negotiation |
The AARP and Patients for Affordable Drugs Now (P4AD) are speaking out against a bill that would extend the time that a drug would have to be on the market before it could be eligible for Medicare negotiations, saying it would force consumers to continue "bearing the burden of high prices." |
In a letter provided first to The Hill and addressed to congressional leadership, AARP and P4AD stated plainly that the Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures (EPIC) Act "does not serve the American taxpayers and would instead block or delay patients' access to lower prescription drug prices." The bill, introduced by North Carolina Reps. Greg Murphy (R) and Don Davis (D), would add four years to the seven-year period that a small-molecule drug must be on the market in order to be selected for Medicare negotiations. When introducing the bill, Murphy said, "The Inflation Reduction Act's price-fixing scheme destroys research and development, reducing treatment options for patients." But AARP and P4AD pushed back on this argument. "In the nine months following the passage of the law, big drug companies acquired more small-molecule drugs than in the nine months prior," they wrote. "A recently published analysis showed an increase in drug licensing as well as pharmaceutical investment in research and development during the six quarters following the passage of the law. Available data does not support claims that drug development has slowed since enactment." They further argued that taxpayers could face $10 billion "in unnecessary spending" if the EPIC Act is passed. "Americans deserve a government that prioritizes their needs over unfounded complaints from drug companies. We urge you to stand with patients and older Americans by protecting access to affordable medicines and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely," they wrote. |
Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
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| How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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New findings from a Trump-aligned pollster released Wednesday show a majority of voters want Congress to extend enhanced ObamaCare tax credits and would be less likely to vote for a candidate who lets those tax credits expire. The poll from John McLaughlin, commissioned by the conservative group Americans for a Balanced Budget, highlights the political importance of the tax credits ahead … |
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Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said Wednesday he thinks Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) would engage in "sincere" talks about extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits once the government reopens. Fetterman — who came out on Tuesday in favor of the GOP "nuking" the Senate filibuster to pass a bill to reopen the government — said it's important for senators simultaneously to prioritize funding the … |
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The cost of employer-sponsored health insurance rose for the third year in a row in 2025, approaching an average of almost $27,000 for a family plan, according to an annual survey from KFF released Wednesday. Family premiums are up 6 percent, or $1,408, from last year, more than double the rate of inflation and similar to the 7 percent increase recorded in each of the previous two years. … |
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Branch out with a different read: |
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What to know about HSAs during open enrollment season |
(NewsNation) — Open enrollment season is here, and for millions of Americans, it’s a chance to start saving through one of the most tax-advantaged accounts available. Health savings accounts, or HSAs, let those with high-deductible health plans set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses — from Advil and X-rays to doctor’s visits. They’re widely considered one of the most powerful long-term savings tools … |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
- Physicians plead with Florida lawmakers to resist ban on vaccine mandates (Florida Phoenix)
- NC Medicaid to get some funding help during government shutdown after House bill passes (ABC 11)
- What Oregonians need to know about expiring health insurance subsidies (OPB)
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- As red states target abortion pills, this group aims to boost protections (Washington Post)
- Despite the hoopla, vaccines should be in reach this cough-and-cold season (KFF Health News)
- Moderna says key study of its CMV vaccine, expected to be its next big win, failed (Stat)
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Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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