The House is expected to vote today, without any hearings or serious debate, to approve a measure that would allow the federal government to intervene in drug price negotiations for Medicare. But attention already has shifted to the Senate, where more thoughtful consideration may be possible. The spotlight is on the leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, which held hearings on the issue … [Read more...] about Showdown
Medicare Price Negotiations: A Resource Guide
The Facts: Medicare Part D and Prescription Drug Prices Source: A fact sheet jointly prepared by health policy experts from the American Enterprise Institute, the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, the Galen Institute, The Heritage Foundation, the Institute for Policy Innovation, the Institute for Research on the Economics of Taxation, the National Center for Policy Analysis, and the … [Read more...] about Medicare Price Negotiations: A Resource Guide
No Way VA is a Better Way
Appeared in the East Texas Review It seems like such a good idea. The government has gotten into the business of administering prescription-drug insurance plans through the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. But it turns out the government already buys some prescription drugs ... for the Veterans Administration. Why not model the new program after the older one, reap the benefits of the combined … [Read more...] about No Way VA is a Better Way
No Way VA is a Better Way
Appeared in the East Texas Review It seems like such a good idea. The government has gotten into the business of administering prescription-drug insurance plans through the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. But it turns out the government already buys some prescription drugs ... for the Veterans Administration. Why not model the new program after the older one, reap the benefits of the combined … [Read more...] about No Way VA is a Better Way
What's Wrong With Negotiations?
Since the New Year began, the political conversation has been all-talk-all-the-time about prescription drug prices. The idea that the government should negotiate prescription drug prices is a key piece of the reform agenda for the new Congress. Legislation has already been introduced. At first glance, this seems like a no-brainer. What could possibly be wrong with government negotiating prices? … [Read more...] about What's Wrong With Negotiations?
What’s Wrong With Negotiations?
Since the New Year began, the political conversation has been all-talk-all-the-time about prescription drug prices. The idea that the government should negotiate prescription drug prices is a key piece of the reform agenda for the new Congress. Legislation has already been introduced. At first glance, this seems like a no-brainer. What could possibly be wrong with government negotiating prices? … [Read more...] about What’s Wrong With Negotiations?
Medicare drug benefit is fine as is, Madam Speaker
Appeared in the Houston Chronicle on January 5, 2007 Late last month, the nation received some rare news: A federal program came in significantly under budget, costing about 30 percent less than expected. The government announced that Medicare's prescription drug benefit has saved the nation $13 billion. Despite this news, the newly-elected Congress has put making changes to the … [Read more...] about Medicare drug benefit is fine as is, Madam Speaker
All Drug Prices, All the Time
Since the new year began, we've been dealing with all-talk-all-the-time about prescription drug prices. The idea that the government should negotiate prescription drug prices is a key piece of health care legislation in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's 100 hour marathon, and the House is expected to debate and vote on the measure next Friday. It sounds so simple. Since we are in favor of competition and … [Read more...] about All Drug Prices, All the Time