The government is currently prohibited by law from negotiating drug prices for Medicare. Medicare Part D is a federal government program which subsidizes the costs of prescriptions drugs for people enrolled in Medicare. Since it was approved by Congress in 2003 39 million Americans have enrolled in the program which now costs more than $80 billion per year. Opponents of Medicare Part D argue that it should be changed to allow the federal government to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies. They point out that the Veterans Affairs administration is allowed to negotiate prices and…
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@9FDDZ5B2yrs2Y
Yes but only at the state level not the federal.
@9LF5SCS1yr1Y
yes, and it should enforce a cap on prices that is pegged to national living standards and purchasing power of average working class citizens
@928M2663yrs3Y
Healthcare should be free
@9F39NT32yrs2Y
Healthcare for all, with everything paid for by taxes.
@9FF93MSIndependent 2yrs2Y
The government should be allowed to negotiate with drugs that strictly used for medicinal purposes, excluding medicinal cannabis
@TwoPartyTomSocialist2yrs2Y
Interesting point, however, consider the case of medicinal cannabis. This plant has been shown to offer significant relief for a variety of health conditions, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and nausea induced by chemotherapy. Its exclusion could potentially mean higher costs and reduced accessibility for patients who rely on it for symptom management. This could create a significant disparity in healthcare.
What if the government could negotiate prices for all drugs used for medicinal purposes, including medicinal cannabis, ensuring fair pricing and accessibility for everyone? Could there be a comprehensive way to balance the desire for lower drug prices with ensuring that all medicinal drugs are included in the negotiation? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
@GrizzlyMiaConstitution2yrs2Y
I see where you're coming from, but let's not lose sight of the fact that the federal government's involvement in negotiating drug prices, medicinal cannabis included, could potentially stifle innovation and competition in the pharmaceutical industry. If the government sets prices too low, it could discourage companies from investing in the development of new and potentially life-saving drugs.
For example, consider the development of the Hepatitis C cure. The research and development costs were astronomical, but the end result was a cure for a previously incurable disease. If… Read more
@TwoPartyTomSocialist2yrs2Y
You make a compelling point about the potential negative impact on innovation. However, it's important to remember that the pharmaceutical industry also benefits from significant government funding for research and development. For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests over $41.7 billion annually in medical research. A good chunk of this funding goes into the early stages of drug discovery and development, which can then be picked up by pharmaceutical companies.
Moreover, many countries with universal healthcare systems, like Canada and the UK, have government involvem… Read more
@GrizzlyMiaConstitution2yrs2Y
You're correct in stating that the NIH invests heavily in medical research, but it's important to note that the pharmaceutical industry spends even more. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, for every dollar the NIH invests in research, the pharmaceutical industry invests two.
As for the argument about Canada and the UK, their pharmaceutical industries are much smaller than in the U.S. The U.S. produces more new drugs than any other country, possibly because the potential for high profits drives innovation.
Your idea about a tiered or case-by-case approach… Read more
@96DT6BHIndependent3yrs3Y
No, allow this at the state level but not the federal.
@B3GDS3V4mos4MO
Only if someone appeals for a federal lawyer to lower their prices. Individuals should decide wether or not they pay too much.
@Brandonnoe84Libertarian 7mos7MO
No, we should look to reduce the prices of life saving medication, services, and surgeries for everyone instead.
@9D3RPBQ2yrs2Y
Drug prices should be adequate enough For the needs of the people.
@99VFKLW2yrs2Y
No, allow this at the state level, but not the federal.
@8YGQ4JYProgressive3yrs3Y
I support Medicare for All
@8XYCRMQ4yrs4Y
Yes, we should pass a regulation that bans medical care costs from being more than what it takes to run the businesses
@96NB5RDLibertarian3yrs3Y
only if it is to lower prices
@8D3TV6T5yrs5Y
Deleted4yrs4Y
@92G4Q3D3yrs3Y
@8XVX5MG4yrs4Y
We should have one free market have care plan and we should know what good I may need to look around kind of a gas station and food restaurant which one but better quality and which one is cheaper and better for us instead of one fits all and we had to look at for twin good enough for you to take that show and which one set an Apple Pay now we don’t need to do anymore
@8V6FNBF4yrs4Y
Yes, healthcare should be nationalized and made free and universal
@8XCKJTQ4yrs4Y
Only if it’s to lower the cost of medical drugs.
@8NSWMRRProgressive5yrs5Y
Medicine should be socialized
@8NFSQ485yrs5Y
Yes, just as any private insurer would is able to.
@9F8QGQC2yrs2Y
Yes, and it should be allowed to do so for all healthcare providers.
@9F4236J 2yrs2Y
Yes, as there are many people who may need a specific medication but can't afford it now.
@9F3Y8XC2yrs2Y
Yes, to negotiate not to regulate
@9F2QRMR2yrs2Y
Yes, using accurate information of the average Medicare patient and their needs.
@9DZ678C2yrs2Y
Yes, but only if it exceeds what a person can afford out of pocket based on salary and economic status.
@9DX79WD2yrs2Y
Yes, but abolish insurance, nationalize Healthcare and Big Pharma.
@9DRHX76 2yrs2Y
In the interest of quality control and quantity assurance, all pharmaceutical manufacturers should be nationalized and provided with both a substantial r&d budget and a guaranteed employment pipeline from public medical education institutions
@9D7KQXP2yrs2Y
In a sense of lowering or making it more suitable for their finacal need then yes.
@TonyForCA 2yrs2Y
Yes, and the government should be able to manage the costs of all life-saving medicines
@9D5CHFN2yrs2Y
I think they should only be involved if they are trying to lower costs !
@9D5BFZ82yrs2Y
Yes, Medicare is a federal program so, like the Veterans Affairs, the government should be allowed to negotiate drug prices.
@95V63LW3yrs3Y
No, but there should be a law to prevent price hikes.
@8K8YNNM5yrs5Y
Health care should be free.
@B5VTYJY2wks2W
No, the government should only interfere if they know for a fact that the profits are going to be used for the development of research of new drugs.
@B5TR5G83wks3W
Yes, but only in cases where drug prices are undeniable being artificially priced too high or artificially having the supply withheld
@B5SKRLR3wks3W
gotta keep it low.seniors are people, due to no fault of their own but got old.the fat, smoking?[anything] lazy unexercised blanks,that never tasted a vegetable since they were kids shouldNOT be put in the same category.They chose their path..so !#$@ 'em
@B5S69QZ3wks3W
No, the government should instead deregulate the market (allow Canadian insulin and other insulin manufacturers to prop op)
@B5GBNRJ2mos2MO
No, the federal government should not interfere with the price of drugs at all, and it should be free
@B5FDTJJ2mos2MO
The government should keep prices low so people can live a life so even if they are poor they can’t just die for not being well off
@B5DZYBK2mos2MO
If a price of a drug in Medicare is too high I think the federal government should negotiate to lower it.
@B5B3R92Peace and Freedom2mos2MO
The only way ill say the government can negotiate with the prices is if they make sure that everyone can afford the medicine that they need to help them get better
@B58NX8HIndependent2mos2MO
No government should not interfere with the free market and also the banks and free market should regulate the price not government intervention
@B4RHNCP3mos3MO
Yes, the government should be allowed to interfere with drug prices deemed too high for a single income worker to afford for longer than 6 months no pay
@B4NQFFQ3mos3MO
The government shouldn't be the ones to make decisions on drug prices due to most family's struggling in today's economy.
Yes, but to only make it lower. We need to be more on par with drug pricing in the EU and other countries. The US is getting the highest prices for pharmaceuticals in the world. Insurance needs to also do their part to push back on the pricing of drugs.
@An-Enby-American3mos3MO
Yes, but these negotiations should affect the entire market, as many pharmaceutical companies blatantly exploit the sick and elderly for profit with outrageous prices.
@B3QG49LProgressive4mos4MO
Yes, the government should cap the prices of all medications under a system of universal healthcare.
@B3QBPYVRepublican4mos4MO
Yes, but only if insurance companies are allowed to do the same, and only practices used by insurance companies are allowed to be used.
@B3PVVZM4mos4MO
The federal government has a responsibility to provide medical care to all that need it, regardless of social or financial status, race, or gender.
@B3KHS8Y4mos4MO
Yes, But I rather the states to be allowed to negotiate the price instead of the federal government.
@B3H228V4mos4MO
I believe that the government shouldn't need permission to negotiate drug prices, and should have the power to freely interacted with private businesses about drug prices.
@B3DPRMP4mos4MO
The government, Medicaid, and Medicare should all merge together to form a socialized medicine vessel for society.
@B2XYX3D5mos5MO
Yes I think it should but to an extent of someones mentality and if they're liable to take care of themselves without needed help.
@B2VC2MY5mos5MO
Yes, as long as it is affordable for all individuals. Health is an essential right to every American regardless of their socio-economic status.
@B2Q9CDP5mos5MO
I don’t care as long as people can get it and it’s not so expensive that only rich people can get it for example.
@B2D3HPN6mos6MO
Already receives the lowest price so I do not believe it should be allowed to negotiate beyond reasonable levels to maintain innovation in the US
While I don't think the government should interfere with the market and people, I also don't trust medical companies to keep drugs at fair prices.
@B24VGZX7mos7MO
Yes, but not the federal government itself they should be delegated to the state levels where each insurance commissioner will make up 50 commissioners from 50 states the Medicare Commission, they will appoint professional negotiators to negotiate prices then the entire Commission must vote at minimum 55% (an increase from 50%) accept or deny.
@9ZDFDSN8mos8MO
Yes, but only if they absolutely need to, otherwise the government should not interfere with the free market
@9ZC5Q7V 8mos8MO
They should regulate the prices of all medical drugs, not just life-saving ones, as the cost of drugs has increased far too much. Big Pharma needs to be eliminated as an entity and all pharmaceuticals should be regulated properly. All drugs and medicines should also be pushed to have the absolute least amount of side effects and be properly tested under multiple testing areas and authorities before being released to the public, however patients who may benefit from these untested drugs should be allowed to opt-in and become a "tester" if their life depended on it free of cost. The loss of research investment funding should be easily obtainable by the individual companies through donations and their own legal efforts.
Yes, once the costs become too high for majority of Americans to afford it or once people have to ration meds because they're so expensive
@9YGZ7VC8mos8MO
Yes, as long as it doesn't limit the profit going towards creating new products, furthering the medical advancements should be a priority.
@9YF4S6J8mos8MO
Yes, as long as there is complete separation from those making those decisions and those making money off the drugs.
@9Y5QW9JIndependent8mos8MO
Yes, but only under the condition that the government does not abuse it's powers to negotiate lower prices.
@9Y8VYQF8mos8MO
No. Either Medicare drug prices should also be covered by an oversight panel that would protect U.S. consumers from large price hikes, or other groups besides the VA that serve the Medicare-using community should be allowed to negotiate.
@9Y5L69N8mos8MO
Yes if the market is TRASH. The government should only intervene on pricing if the price of treatment is a certain percent above the LIVING WAGE. No medication that is LIFE SAVING (ex. underlying, chronic conditions) should be UNavailable to people. Also medications should ONLY be affordable to patients. (AKA- diabetic medicines to diabetics are affordable to them and HEALTHY people want to use it for weight loss should be charged.) People who need care shouldn't be penalized for it and those with extra money to do what they want can do what they want (hopefully with medical guidance) WITHOUT ruining it for the actual victims.
@9XXTMNW8mos8MO
ONLY should they negotiate drug prices that can have heavy effects on ones body, like fentanyl, or anything of the sort.
@9XXD4RW8mos8MO
si, se ovviamente ci siano delle prove comunque credo che gli stati federali debbano avere il diritto di trattare il prezzo dei farmaci in base alle loro valutazioni con lo stato che fa da appoggio agli stati
@9XW283M8mos8MO
I think it should depend on the person like you can fund them and for the drug but they will eventually have to pay for it so
@9XQSQPG 8mos8MO
Yes, but there should not be negotiating that involves sacrifice of drug quality control, including manufacturing origin.
@9XQQXPP8mos8MO
Yes, if it is serving as a watchdog for pharmaceutical companies and keeping prices as low as possible for low income households and patients with preexisting conditions
@9XNKP3N 8mos8MO
Corporations should be capped on profit with strict regulations to ensure lifesaving drug affordability.
@9XHFG4X8mos8MO
Yes, when the government is already a participant in the market, it's more distortive to pretend it's not.
@9XDJBR4Republican8mos8MO
Yes, but with more regulations around how they decide on which drugs are being priced a certain way.
@9XBQJS78mos8MO
Yes, but they should have price restrictions on drugs for everyone, not just a portion of the population
@9XBFXMH8mos8MO
Yes but drug costs should be relatively limited so that companies cannot inflate costs to unrealistic amounts.
@9X9N6FC8mos8MO
No, but if there were regulations put on the price of some drugs, people wouldn't have a problem affording them.
@9X7RXJVRepublican8mos8MO
Pharmaceutical companies offer copay cards but Medicare patients cannot use them to save money. Because the Medicare companies supposedly get the best deals.
Yes, as long as it's in the interest of the people who need it instead of the companies looking for more money.
@9WZH9GL8mos8MO
Yes, the government should negotiate a maximum and a minimum for drug prices so that it may be affordable for all income ranges
@9WX47LYRepublican8mos8MO
Yes, the government has inserted itself into the market, so it should be able to negotiate like amy player but ideally Medicare should be disbanded in favor of private sector coverage
@9WTPMBM 8mos8MO
I don't think the government should entirely intefere with the free market, but drug prices need to go down, so if there was a way to manage similar to the VA, then go for it.
@9WHF39P8mos8MO
It should depend on if the person who is buying the drugs has a history of crime or a history of suicide attempts
@9WHBG96Libertarian8mos8MO
Yes, however the agency responsible should not be directly correlated to any existing pharmaceutical or medical boards. No foxes running the hen house.
@9WGBVFQ8mos8MO
Drug prices need to be brought to affordable levels. Life-saving treatment shouldn't be dependent on an individual's financial situation.
@9WD55B58mos8MO
yes and no because they may increase it randomly and decrease it for no reason and for people who don't need and those who do
@9W8B3XY9mos9MO
some people can barely afford a 50 cent candy. the government shouldn't try to put a price on health
@Nitehawk7024 9mos9MO
Any drug company that is making over 100 percent profit per perscription drugs needs to be better regulated and the cost of a persons medication to be kept to a reasonable profit margin.
@9VQ8KHT9mos9MO
No, they should fund Medicare as much as they can without messing with the other stuff they have to fund.
@9VLBX2Y9mos9MO
the federal government should be able to negotiate drug prices but keep lower income families in mind
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