The MeidasTouch Podcast Meidas Health, Episode 6: Biden’s Medicare Reformer on Why Trump’s Health Plan Is Smoke and Mirrors
8 snips
May 15, 2025 Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, former head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, dives into pressing healthcare challenges. She discusses the complexities of prescription drug pricing and contrasts Trump's recent health initiatives with effective reforms like the Inflation Reduction Act. The conversation highlights the hurdles seniors face in accessing affordable medications and critiques political messaging in health initiatives. Brooks-LaSure emphasizes the crucial need for leadership and robust funding in biomedical research to safeguard future healthcare advancements.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Medicare Drug Cost Reform
- The Inflation Reduction Act capped Medicare drug costs at $2,000 annually for beneficiaries.
- It authorized CMS to negotiate prices for the costliest Medicare drugs, saving billions.
Why U.S. Drug Price Negotiation Lagged
- The U.S. has delayed drug price negotiation due to its unique private-sector healthcare system.
- Drug prices are complicated by the involvement of many players like PBMs and health plans.
Challenges of Executive Drug Pricing Orders
- Historically the U.S. pays 3 to 5 times more for branded drugs due to lack of government negotiation.
- Trump's most favored nation executive order lacks detail and is unlikely to achieve voluntary pharma compliance.