Dear John,
Recently, the Biden Administration announced that Medicare will begin the process of negotiating drug prices for 10 of the most common lifesaving medications.
I am proud of my vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, which granted negotiating power to the administration.
The drugs listed in this first round of negotiations and their commonly treated conditions are:
-
Eliquis – prevention and treatment of blood clots
-
Jardiance – diabetes; heart failure
-
Xarelto – prevention and treatment of blood clots
-
Januvia – diabetes
-
Farxiga – diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease
-
Entresto – heart failure
-
Enbrel – rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis
-
Imbruvica – blood cancers
-
Stelara – psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis
-
Fiasp, Fiasp FlexTouch, Fiasp PenFill; NovoLog, NovoLog FlexTouch, NovoLog PenFill – diabetes
The Department of Health and Human Services will negotiate with drug makers with the goal of implementing lower prices in 2026. Over the next 4 years, Medicare will negotiate prices for up to 60 drugs covered under Medicare Part D and Part B, and up to an additional 20 drugs every year after that.
This is the latest action I have taken to lower drug prices with the goal of putting more money back in the pockets of all Americans. That includes capping the price of insulin for those on Medicaid to $35 a month, resulting in $500 in savings a year for beneficiaries.
This work is just starting – and I am looking forward to continuing to make medication more affordable for all Americans.
If you are a Medicare recipient and have questions about this latest news, please reach out to my office at 951-222-0203. As always, stay in touch about issues that concern you, your family, and your community.
