Drug Price Controls Appear Central to Democratic Priorities
Democratic lawmakers are expected to make a strong push to revive a variety of drug pricing proposals, such as those that would grant CMS the ability to negotiate the price of certain drugs and place a cap on Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket spending.
House Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has indicated he is targeting the current congressional work period that runs through Memorial Day as the time to make good on drug pricing plans that Democrats have long favored, noted Matt Kazan, managing director of policy with consultancy Avalere Health, during an April 27 webinar.
The convergence of several factors, including looming mid-term elections and the scheduled end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) could spur Democrats to make a last-ditch effort to resuscitate the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) and the drug pricing controls contained within it — especially since the end of the PHE could significantly impact Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange enrollment.