Drug prices are on the rise. Lawmakers across the United States say it’s an issue requiring immediate attention.
Americans are struggling to afford medications, and lawmakers want to take control of that effort.
“A commonly used drug for critically ill patients that used to cost less than five dollars per vial has increased in recent years to more than $1,200 per vile with no justifiable reason,” Dr. Curtis Haas, the Chief Pharmacy Officer at URMC, recently told News10NBC.
What are the Medicaid income limits?
What is the proposal to cut down medical drug prices?
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said this week that her plan will reign in drug prices. Manufacturers are charging too much. She says it starts with the federal government negotiating better prices for people on Medicare or Medicaid.
“It was part of the deal they made when they made the prescription drug deal under George Bush in 2004-2005 and it was a terrible deal and it locked in place this inability to get the lowest prices,” Gillibrand told News10NBC. “What has been standing in the way is the drug companies, the drug companies do not want to pay, they don’t want to lose their record profits that they’ve been getting during COVID and they don’t want lose their record profits they’ve been getting for the last 15 years.”
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Can this drug pricing proposal get through Washington, D.C.?
Yes, it has the ability to do so. But, many are skeptical – even as Democrats control all three major levers of government.
It’s unclear when they could get the bill done, if at all before November’s mid-term elections.
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