Adding On. So glad to see this research from Avalere conducted on behalf of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) on the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) negotiation on Medicare Part B provider reimbursement. While in Medicare Part D, negotiated prices do not factor into Average Manufacturer Price, the legislation is silent on whether…
On the pile. 46Brooklyn put out a piece demonstrating the difficulty of understanding drug prices. It is a doozy of a read. A set-aside-time-to-concentrate read. But if you are skeptical about drug pricing and want to lump it all on manufacturers, you should take the time to read it. Big picture, there is no single…
The slight panic of 4 months left in the year is starting to hit but the amazing weather in the D.C. area made it seem just a bit less urgent. If you need any help with policy work these next few months or filling a speaking gig, I’m here for it. MedPAC was back this…
It’s an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) hangover kind of week. Last week the first Medicare negotiated prices for 2026 were announced and this week is the “what does this mean?” week with everyone catching up and chiming in. What I wrote last week stands but if you want another review, Health Affairs/KFF has you covered.…
Just a quiet health policy week. Well actually, depending on your level of wonkiness, it kind of was? But let’s get into what you need to know. They’re Here! On Thursday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the “negotiated” prices for the initial ten Medicare prescription drug benefit drugs (Part D); these prices…
You know it is hot when I say, “Let’s go for a walk” and my dog looks at me from the stop of the stairs and refuses to move. At 6:30 in the morning. I hope you’re feeling more motivated than he is. Same same, not different. Late last year, the Medicare prescription drug benefit…
Coulda, woulda, shoulda. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary committee had a hearing on prescription drug prices. It became clear that comparisons to international prices remain a focus but so is patent abuse. I am not sure that’s a fair characterization. What companies are doing is legal and I’m not sure they’d be doing their fiduciary…
Crab cakes and … horse racing. That’s what Maryland does. Mine will come with a side of Smith Island cake which I’m making tomorrow morning. Wish me luck. Odds aren’t stacked. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Medicaid rule won’t contain the stacking provision. A little odd to pre-announce it,…
Back to back. Arnold Ventures put out the latest anti-pharma talking points (h/t Brian Reid) and here were two back to back – Here’s the problem, it really isn’t about the cost of drugs. I mean you could take that drug price and reduce it 98% and the 25% cost share would still be too…
LDT. Not a sandwich, not a drink but laboratory developed tests. On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put out the long anticipated final rule on LDTs. If you’re more of a prescription drug policy person, get used to following LDT policy. We’ve moved from tests that are nice but, even if you have…