The deal is expected to save billions for Medicare and reduce out-of-pocket costs for millions of seniors starting in 2026.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has negotiated lower prices for 10 of the most expensive and commonly used drugs covered by Medicare. This move is the first time Medicare has directly negotiated drug prices—a change expected to save the program $6 billion in its first year—while reducing out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries by $1.5 billion. These negotiations involved discussions with pharmaceutical companies over several months, targeting drugs used for conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and autoimmune disease.
“Congressional budget estimators (Congressional Budget Office) predicted about $100 billion savings over 10 years from drug negotiations, and a $3.7 billion savings in the first year alone,“ said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Empowering Medicare to negotiate prices not only strengthens the program for generations to come, but also puts a check on skyrocketing drug prices.”
“These negotiations will not only lower the prices of critically important medications for cancer, diabetes, heart failure, and more, but will also save billions of dollars,” Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure stated.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Administrator Brooks-LaSure to seek the Lord for direction as she heads CMS.
- For wisdom for HHS Secretary Becerra as he oversees the Department of Health and Human Services.
Sources: The Epoch Times, Department of Health and Human Services
