Dems introduce bills to push for Medicare negotiated drug pricing

Congressional Democrats have introduced legislation to let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices - a move that could result in significant savings, the bill supporters say. They are urging that their measure be included in the effort to raise the debt ceiling.

The Hill: Dems Push For Negotiated Drug Pricing In Medicare
A group of House Democrats says Congress should let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices as it seeks to cut spending on the program. Sixty-seven House Democrats signed a letter Thursday to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) urging him to support the policy during bipartisan negotiations over spending cuts to accompany an increase in the debt ceiling (Baker, 6/16).

Politico Pro: Dems Offer Medicare Drug Bill In Debt Talks
Congressional Democrats who introduced a Medicare prescription drug negotiation bill Thursday morning are hoping it will become the centerpiece of Medicare reforms in ongoing debt-limit negotiations. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate on Thursday introduced companion legislation that would restore rebates paid by brand-name drug makers for Part D drugs used by "dual eligibles." The rebates were eliminated in 2006, and Democrats say reinstating them would save Medicare more than $100 billion (Millman, 6/16).

Modern Healthcare: Democrats See Savings In Medicare Drug Bills
Congressional Democrats said $112 billion in deficit reduction could come through Medicare drug bills that were introduced Thursday. The companion measures introduced in the House and Senate would require drugmakers to pay "rebates" or the difference in the price of pharmaceuticals between Medicare and Medicaid. ... The cost to the federal government of drugs for those beneficiaries rose when they were moved from Medicaid into Medicare at the launch of the Part D program in 2006 (Daly, 6/16).