5 ms·
When it comes to Medicare, there is a much easier win: just allow the government to negotiate prices. The government should have massive bargaining power. > W
by chishaku 11y ago
When it comes to Medicare, there is a much easier win: just allow the government to negotiate prices. The government should have massive bargaining power.
> When Congress created the Medicare drug benefit in 2003, it specifically prohibited the government from negotiating prices with drugmakers.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-02/drug-prices-prompt-obama-to-call-for-medicare-bargaining-power http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-02/drug-price...
Imagine making a deal with a company where you are one of their largest clients but you are specifically prevented from negotiating any prices with them at any point in the future.
- noir_lord 11y agoNHS does this in the UK, access to 60 million people through one customer is a hell of an incentive to negotiate, not perfect but then what is? I'll take our system every single time though.
- coldcode 11y agoHah, never happen since the people who would vote on this are all on the Pharma take. Both parties, an equal opportunity bribery, which means nothing will ever change.
- refurb 11y agoThe only way Medicare will have an negotiating leverage with respect to price is if they create a formulary and deny access to certain drugs. I can't see Medicare doing that.