Search
 

Trump budget to target drug prices, out-of-pocket costs

Proposals include making sure seniors in Medicare benefit from discounts that middlemen negotiate with drugmakers, establishing a spending cap on out-of-pocket prescription costs, and potentially making generic drugs free for low-income seniors.

By Anna Edney, Justin Sink | Updated on February 09, 2018
The proposals don’t include something Trump has threatened and is one of drug industry’s biggest fear -- having the government negotiate some prices directly. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Donald Trump’s health-care chief said he plans to take up the president’s promises to do something about pharmaceutical prices, targeting some of the U.S.’s costliest drugs with proposals to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket spending.

“The president is firmly committed in this space,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a briefing with reporters Thursday. “I am now less than two weeks on the job and have been working a great deal, let’s just say, on these issues already. We do think drug prices are too high.” 

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2025 (BPRO)Event

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.

Get More Information
 

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.