Why is Medicare a Lousy Drug Negotiator

Right now, the program is O.K. at negotiating, saving as much as 30 percent off the list price of drugs, according to government reports. But Medicare still pays much, much more than government health systems in other countries.

Topic

Health

Links

The Real Reason Medicare Is a Lousy Drug Negotiator: It Can’t Say No - The New York Times - The Real Reason Medicare Is a Lousy Drug Negotiator: It Can’t Say No - The New York Times

Use Medicare’s Muscle to Lower Drug Prices - The New York Times - Use Medicare’s Muscle to Lower Drug Prices - The New York Times

www.google.com - medicare negotiating lower drug prices - Google Search

Column: Why does Medicare allow for the price gouging of prescription drugs? | PBS NewsHour - Column: Why does Medicare allow for the price gouging of prescription drugs? | PBS NewsHour

NCPSSM - Negotiating for Lower Drug Costs in Medicare Part D

@politifact - Uncle Sam barred from bargaining Medicare drug prices, Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin says, blaming rival Tommy Thompson

When it comes to the massive Medicare Part D prescription drug program, you’d think Uncle Sam would have pretty good leverage in negotiating drug prices. But the government is actually barred from doing such bargaining, according to Democratic Wisconsin Congresswoman Rep. Tammy Baldwin -- who lays blame on her opponent for the U.S. Senate, Republican Tommy Thompson. Baldwin attacked Thompson, who served as health and human services secretary under GOP President George W. Bush, in an Aug. 15, 2012, interview. She told John "Sly" Sylvester, a liberal talk show host on WTDY-AM and -FM in Madison: "We have written into ...

Searching for Savings in Medicare Drug Price Negotiations | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation - Searching for Savings in Medicare Drug Price Negotiations | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget - Could Negotiating Medicare Drug Prices Save $300 Billion Per Year?

Let Medicare negotiate drug prices: Our view - Let Medicare negotiate drug prices: Our view

Bernie Sanders - On the Issues: Fighting to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

Access to health care is a human right, and that includes access to safe and affordable prescription drugs.

Comments

The Drug companies know...

The Drug companies KNOW the Government has to give in eventaully.

This is a poor negotiating position.

LInks

The Government should not give in until...

The Government should not give in until the price is on par with the price in any other country in the world.

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Its Inherently Rigged

Only a Drug can cure a disease.

Only a doctor can prescribe a Drug.

The price of Drugs are arbitrarily set by the manufacturer.

A doctor prescribe a Drug that is needed because (Only a Drug can cure a disease.)

Medicare part D would have to pay for it because its a medical necessity.

But our medicare system should not pay any more than any one else in the world.

LInks

Medicare can very rarely say “No way” to a drug company...

Medicare can very rarely say “No way” to a drug company. Medicare beneficiaries wanted the program to cover most drugs that older people would want to use.

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Congress has stacked the deck in favor of the drug companies.

Congress put in place rules that strengthen the hand of the drug companies in negotiations.

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