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Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act

3/11/2024, 6:28 PM

Summary of Bill S 1450

Bill 118 s 1450, also known as the Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries by half.

The bill proposes several measures to achieve this goal. One key provision is to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. Currently, Medicare is prohibited from negotiating drug prices, which can result in higher costs for beneficiaries. By allowing negotiation, the government hopes to lower prices and make medications more affordable for seniors.

Additionally, the bill aims to increase transparency in drug pricing by requiring pharmaceutical companies to disclose the costs of research and development, as well as the prices charged for drugs in other countries. This information would help policymakers and consumers better understand the factors contributing to high drug prices in the US. Furthermore, the Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act seeks to cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 per year. This would provide financial relief for seniors who struggle to afford their medications due to high co-pays and deductibles. Overall, the bill is designed to address the issue of rising prescription drug prices and make medications more affordable for Medicare beneficiaries. Supporters argue that these measures would help reduce healthcare costs for seniors and improve access to essential medications. Critics, however, raise concerns about the potential impact on pharmaceutical companies and the broader healthcare industry.

Congressional Summary of S 1450

Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act

This bill caps the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare at the amount that the Department of Veterans Affairs or the General Services Administration pays for the drug, whichever is lower.

Current Status of Bill S 1450

Bill S 1450 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 4, 2023. Bill S 1450 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on May 4, 2023.  Bill S 1450's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. as of May 4, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1450

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
1
Total Number of Cosponsors
2
Democrat Cosponsors
2
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1450

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1450

Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act
Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act
A bill to establish a cap on costs for covered prescription drugs under Medicare parts B and D.

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