Don't ask me why, but for some reason, in the midst of my pushing hard for the major ACA 2.0 bills to be passed (H.R. 1868 and H.R. 1884), I've written nary a word about another important (and actually more impactful if it were to be passed and signed into law) bill: H.R.3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019:
This bill establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday released her long-awaited plan to curb soaring prices of prescription drugs, a political chess move that could prod the Senate to move and heat up congressional negotiations with the White House on a popular but elusive goal.
Ms. Pelosi’s plan, which she was to lay out at a morning news conference, would allow the government to negotiate the price of as many as 250 name-brand drugs for Medicare beneficiaries — an idea that many Republicans hate but that President Trump embraced during his 2016 campaign. Drug companies would also have to offer the agreed-on prices to private insurers or face harsh penalties, which could give the package broader appeal with voters.
