Policy Expansion and Savings
The administration announced the addition of 15 more drugs, including popular weight loss medications and Wegovy, to Medicare's negotiation list, aiming for significant taxpayer savings.
This move, part of a law allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, is expected to save about $6 billion for taxpayers and $1.5 billion for Medicare enrollees, with negotiations for these drugs set to take effect in 2026.
Future Implications and Administration Transition
The incoming Trump administration will handle the final details and pricing for these negotiations, amid uncertainty regarding support for the program.
The law, which faced opposition from Republicans when passed, now contemplates its future under the new administration, with more drugs expected to be added to the negotiation process in the coming years.