Democrats Propose Bill to Give Medicare More Price Negotiation Power

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and almost 70 Democratic cosponsors introduced legislation that would give Medicare expanded authority to use its market power to negotiate lower drug prices.

Doggett described the bill as “[calling] the President’s bluff on his drug pricing promises.”

The Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act would authorize Medicare to negotiate drug prices in a way similar to the Veteran’s Administration.

“It defies logic that the federal government is not using its enormous purchasing power to get a better deal for seniors on prescription drugs,” said Rep. Peter Welch (D-Ver.).