The Daily Punch The Future of Medicine: Legislative Landscape
May 20, 2025
Max Cohen, a Congressional Reporter for Punchbowl News, joins Anna Palmer to delve into the evolving landscape of medical legislation. They discuss Congressional Republicans' efforts to roll back parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, which has stirred debate over drug pricing. Cohen highlights the contrasting perspectives on the EPIC Act and the Orphan Cures Act, emphasizing how recent political moves, including Trump-era Executive Orders, shape the future of pharmaceutical innovation and access to new treatments.
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Inflation Reduction Act Drug Pricing
- The Inflation Reduction Act let Medicare negotiate drug prices after 9 or 13 years depending on drug type.
- Republicans oppose the shorter 9-year control on small molecule pills, fearing it stifles innovation.
EPIC Act Seeks Drug Pricing Parity
- The EPIC Act aims to equalize Medicare price control timing for pills and biologics at 13 years.
- Republicans argue shorter price control runs on pills reduce investment and innovation for those drugs.
Democrats Defend Inflation Act Pricing
- Democrats largely oppose the EPIC Act and stand by the Inflation Reduction Act's drug pricing framework.
- Protecting the 2022 IRA is key for them, as rolling it back aids Republicans politically.