News

Medicare Advantage Plans Drive Insurance Companies’ Sky-High Profits and Have Long History of Fraud and Abuse

Washington DC — Over the past several weeks, the insurance industry has been running a massive advertising campaign to scare seniors into believing the Biden Administration is cutting Medicare. Republicans in Congress are echoing these claims to protect insurance company profits. 

In reality, the Administration is proposing to increase spending on Medicare Advantage by approximately $4 billion while protecting the program from overpayments, fraud, and abuse by big insurance companies. These efforts will improve the quality of Medicare Advantage plans – particularly for underserved populations, strengthen program integrity, and save the Medicare Trust Fund over $15 billion. In response, Protect Our Care Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“It is shameful that insurance companies — with the full support of Republicans in Congress — are running a multi-million dollar disinformation campaign to scare seniors in an effort to protect their sky-high profits. Only the greediest corporations could characterize a $4 billion increase as a ‘cut.’ Meanwhile, these same insurance companies have been accused of fraud and abuse in their management of Medicare Advantage for years. It’s no surprise that Republicans are echoing these falsehoods as part of their campaign to defund Medicare. While the Biden administration is strengthening Medicare, Republicans want to cut Medicare and threaten the health and well-being of millions of seniors.” 

Read the full fact sheet here.

Lacy McGee Was Invited by Senator Warnock Who Has Led the Fight for Lower Insulin Costs for All

Watch Lacy’s Story Here

Lacy McGee is an insulin user from Atlanta who attended President Biden’s State of the Union address as the guest of Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. She has previously been uninsured and, like so many Americans, struggled to afford her insulin prescription. Even when she was privately insured, Lacy continued to have a hard time affording this life-saving prescription. She has been forced to ration her insulin, use expired or friends’ leftover insulin, and even rely on the black market to obtain this lifesaving medication. Lacy’s story demonstrates the importance of extending the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 insulin cap to everyone.

Protect Our Care is highlighting the importance of lower insulin costs over the next two weeks. The Inflation Reduction Act capped monthly insulin copays for seniors on Medicare — a game changer for more than three million people, but an estimated 21 million Americans who use insulin are blocked from these savings as a result of Republicans in Congress. Reverend Warnock has been a leader on lower insulin costs, sponsoring the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap out-of-pocket insulin costs, not just for seniors on Medicare, but for millions of diabetics with private insurance. He is a committed health care champion who is fighting for a future where quality, affordable health care is a reality for Georgians and all Americans.

Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked a provision that would have extended the cap to people with private insurance. In a country where 80 percent of diabetics have had to go into debt in order to pay for insulin, this type of action by Republicans puts Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone.

When those who rely on insulin stop taking doses as prescribed because they cannot afford it, they suffer severe effects, such as numbness in their feet and nerve damage in the eyes. Taking insulin as prescribed reduces the likelihood of costly complications such as vision loss, heart disease, and kidney disease. Americans are dying as a result of high insulin costs. Read Protect Our Care’s fact sheet here.

Democrats in Congress Are Fighting to Finish the Job of the Inflation Reduction Act and Ensure No One Pays More Than $35 A Month Per Insulin Prescription 

Washington DC — Over the next two weeks, Protect Our Care will be spotlighting the Inflation Reduction Act’s lifesaving provision to cap insulin copays at $35 per month for millions of seniors. Through nationwide events, op-eds, and social media, Protect Our Care will highlight real stories of people saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on their insulin costs. The Inflation Reduction Act’s insulin cap took effect in January, benefiting more than three million seniors. 

Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked a provision that would have extended the cap to people with private insurance — putting Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone. This would help an estimated 21 million patients afford this vital medication. 

Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:

“For far too long, Big Pharma has been pulling the strings while diabetics have been forced to ration or skip doses because of the outrageous price of insulin. The Inflation Reduction Act is a monumental step forward to rein in drug company greed, and the insulin cap in particular will save lives. Now, we must build on this progress and extend the insulin cap to everyone who needs it. Republicans’ stance on this issue has already put lives in jeopardy, but we will not quit until everyone can afford the drugs they need to stay alive.” 

FACT SHEET: Millions of Seniors Are Saving Big Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 Insulin Cap

Insulin copays have been capped at $35 a month for everyone on Medicare since January 1, 2023. President Biden and Democrats in Congress have been fighting tirelessly to put money back in the pockets of American seniors, and now their work is paying off. The $35 cap will change the lives of the millions of insulin users on Medicare who will no longer have to decide between affording the medication they need to survive or putting food on the table. Taking insulin as prescribed reduces the likelihood of costly complications such as vision loss, heart disease, and kidney disease.

BY THE NUMBERS

• 3.2 million seniors on Medicare will save money thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 insulin cap.
• 1.5 million people on Medicare would have saved an average $500 in 2020 if the $35 insulin cap were in effect.
• Republicans in Congress blocked a universal insulin cap to help millions more Americans.

The Inflation Reduction Act Is A Game-Changer For Seniors. In 2020, there were more than 3.2 million insulin users relying on Medicare, with nearly 1.7 million purchasing their insulin without low-income subsidies. On average, seniors with Medicare Part D or B who are not receiving subsidies pay an average of $572 every year for this life saving medication — an unthinkable sum for many on fixed incomes. Patients who suffer chronic complications can expect to pay upwards of an additional $650 per year. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, insulin copays for people on Medicare will be capped at $35 each month starting on January 1st. A recent study showed that 1.5 million people on Medicare would have saved an average $500 in 2020 from the $35 insulin cap.

Affordable Insulin Saves Lives. As a result of outrageous costs, many seniors are forced to stop taking their medication or cut doses in half. Diabetics suffer severe effects, such as numbness in their feet and nerve damage in the eyes, when they stop taking doses as prescribed. The insulin cap provision in the Inflation Reduction Act will vastly improve the lives of millions of vulnerable insulin users, and it will save lives.

Affordable Insulin Directly Helps Seniors Of Color. People of color are disproportionately affected by diabetes when compared to their white counterparts with over 12 percent of Black adults and 11.8 percent of Hispanics being diagnosed with the disease. Black Americans also continue to be the hardest hit when it comes to affording their prescription drugs and paying medical bills. 

Rural Americans Disproportionately Struggle To Afford Their Insulin. According to a 2018 study, rural Americans are 17 percent more likely to suffer from diabetes than urban Americans. Diabetes risk factors are higher in rural areas than their urban and suburban counterparts as they have lower access to health care providers, fewer transportation options to receive care, and higher rates of being uninsured. 

Republicans Blocked Insulin Cap For Diabetics Not On Medicare. In early August, as the final negotiations were being made on the Inflation Reduction Act, Republicans in the Senate, unified together to make sure that the $35 insulin cap was not universal. In a country where 80 percent of diabetics have had to go into debt in order to pay for insulin, this type of action by Republicans reeks of the influence of Big Pharma. 

Watch the Video Here.

Yesterday, President Biden traveled to Florida to highlight the administration’s work to lower costs and strengthen health care for seniors. During the event, President Biden called out Governor Ron DeSantis for his failure to expand Medicaid to more than a million hardworking Floridians. President Biden made clear that Republicans’ war on Medicaid has only hurt Floridians and residents of 10 other states that have refused expansion. 

Research shows that Medicaid expansion reduces inequities in health care, strengthens state economies, prevents hospital closures, and saves lives. Importantly, expansion helps reduce racial disparities in health coverage, with the gap between uninsured rates in Black and white Americans decreased by 51 percent in states that expanded Medicaid coverage. Yet Republicans are committed to putting politics over real people and are not only refusing expansion, but are threatening to cut Medicaid along with Social Security and Medicare. 

Florida Phoenix: In The Sunshine State, Biden Makes The Case For Medicaid Expansion; Protects Social Security. “President Joe Biden appeared in Florida on Thursday before an intimate crowd at the University of Tampa, where he pledged to protect Social Security and Medicare and push for Medicaid expansion for vulnerable families. The president also drew a contrast with U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida and the architect of a plan that would sunset all federal legislation – including Social Security and Medicare every five years and requiring Congress to approve those programs again.” [Florida Phoenix, 2/9/23]

The Washington Post: Biden Targets Top Florida Republicans DeSantis, Scott Over Health Care In Tampa Stop. “Biden knocked DeSantis for refusing to expand subsidized health care with the help of the federal government and continued to attack Scott for a plan that would require Congress to reauthorize Social Security and Medicare every five years… Biden’s targeting of both DeSantis and Scott is no coincidence. The two are already beginning to draw national attention ahead of the upcoming election year in which DeSantis — fresh off a 19-point reelection victory in Florida last year — is widely expected to run for the GOP presidential nomination.” [The Washington Post, 2/9/23]

Bloomberg: Biden Assails DeSantis Over Health Benefits In Visit To Florida. “The visit to Florida is the latest effort by Biden to put Republicans on the back foot over proposals by some members of their caucus to cut or alter Medicare and Social Security programs as part of a push to slash federal spending — and to lay the groundwork for an expected reelection campaign. A 2024 run could pit Biden against DeSantis, who is widely expected to challenge former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination… Proposed cuts to the programs are deeply unpopular — especially among seniors who are historically the demographic most likely to turn out during an election. Just 17% of Americans said they supported reducing spending on the program in an Economist/YouGov poll earlier this year, while seven in 10 Americans said they opposed any such move.” [Bloomberg, 2/9/23]

MarketWatch: Biden Criticizes DeSantis Over His Medicaid Stance While In Florida. “President Joe Biden on Thursday criticized a potential opponent in the 2024 White House race, going after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida while delivering a speech in Tampa. The president noted that Florida is among 11 states that have opted against expansions for Medicaid, the health-insurance program for the poor, that would be 90% funded by the federal government.” [MarketWatch, 2/10/23]

Politico: Biden’s Potential Lifeline For Florida Democrats. “During his short speech at the University of Tampa on Thursday, Biden touched on the tense exchange he had with Republicans on the House floor during his State of the Union address over cutting Medicare and Social Security, bringing up Sen. Rick Scott’s proposal to sunset the two programs in five years. Biden showed the pamphlet and read from it during the speech. “I reminded them that Florida’s own Rick Scott is the guy who ran the Senate campaign committee for Republicans last year,” Biden said. “Had a plan to sunset, maybe he changed his mind, maybe he’s seen the Lord, but he wanted to sunset, meaning if you don’t reauthorize it, it goes away. Sunset social security and Medicare every five years.”” [Politico, 2/9/23]

President Biden Defended Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid This Week As Republicans Continue to Lie About Their Disastrous Record

Watch President Biden Call Out Republicans Here. 

This week, President Biden delivered his State of the Union Address, where he highlighted Republican attacks on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. President Biden also traveled to Florida to discuss the administration’s work to lower costs and strengthen health care for seniors. During the event, President Biden called out Republicans like Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott for blocking Medicaid expansion in Florida and threatening to put Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare on the chopping block every five years. 

While President Biden is committed to protecting and expanding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, the GOP plan would like to slash these vital programs, raise premiums, reverse recent coverage gains, and hike prescription drug costs for the American people. 

Republicans Are On The Run From Their Long History Of Threatening Medicare, Medicaid, And Social Security

Several Republicans have hit back at President Biden — yet Republicans have been on record about destroying these programs for years now. Senator Mike Lee was quick to deny Republican attacks on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, but a video quickly resurfaced of him saying “It will be my objective, to phase out Social Security, to pull it up by the roots and get rid of it…Medicare and Medicaid are of the same sort and need to be pulled out.” Even worse, lawmakers like Senator Ron Johnson have doubled down on his commitment to cut these programs and promoted his policies — even going as far as to call Social Security a “ponzi scheme.”

Recent coverage shows that Republicans have long tried to dismantle Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and that they continue to propose policies that threaten access to quality, affordable health coverage for millions. They cannot rewrite history to try to fool the American people.

The Hill: Scott Doubles Down On Sunsetting All Federal Programs After Biden’s Jab. “Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on Wednesday defended his proposal to sunset all federal legislation after five years and slammed President Biden as ‘confused; in response to Biden’s claim at the State of the Union address that some Republicans want to sunset Social Security and Medicare. ‘In my plan, I suggested the following: All federal legislation sunsets in five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,’ Scott said in a statement following Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress.” [The Hill, 2/8/23] 

US Sen. Ron Johnson Stands By Medicare, Social Security Remarks After Being Called Out By President Joe Biden. “In a statement to Fox News, Johnson accused Biden of lying about him. But in an interview with WISN-AM in Milwaukee Thursday morning, Johnson stood by his plan, saying it was time to change the way Medicare and Social Security are funded. ‘We’ve got to put everything on-budget so we’re forced to prioritize spending,’ Johnson said. ‘That doesn’t mean putting on the chopping block. That doesn’t mean cutting Social Security. But it does mean prioritizing.’” [Wisconsin Public Radio, 2/9/23] 

Vanity Fair: Republicans Have Long Called to Cut Social Security and Medicare. “Senator Rick Scott, who, as chairman of the GOP’s Senate campaign committee last cycle, unveiled a plan to sunset all federal legislation, which includes Social Security and Medicare, in five years, opening the door for lapses or cuts. Just last summer, Senator Ron Johnson called for subjecting Medicare and Social Security to annual budget negotiations. Lindsey Graham declared entitlement reform a ‘must,’ and the House’s largest Republican caucus, the conservative Republican Study Committee, released a proposal that urged raising the eligibility age for both Medicare and Social Security, called for increased means testing in Medicare, and suggested a move toward privatization for Social Security.” [Vanity Fair, 2/8/23]

Business Insider: Kevin Hern Among House Republicans Who Don’t Want to Take Medicare and Social Security Cuts Out Of Debt Ceiling Negotiations. “They’ve introduced two pieces of legislation — the Trust Act and the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act — to be included in a debt limit deal, which would create commissions to consider the solvency of Social Security and Medicare. Of the legislation, GOP Rep. Kevin Hern said he ‘wouldn’t think it’d be off the table.’ Hern’s proposals did not specifically address Medicare and Social Security, but Hern told Bloomberg creating a commission to evaluate the solvency of those programs could be a part of the negotiations to raise the debt ceiling.” [Business Insider, 2/6/23]

The Hill: What Have Republicans Actually Said About Social Security and Medicare? “At the center of the current debate over the federal entitlement programs is an 11-point plan released by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) last February, which called for all federal legislation to sunset after five years as part of an effort to curb government spending. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has indicated that he is considering a bid for the presidency in 2024, said last week that a conversation needs to be had about reforming Social Security. When Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) initially ran for Senate in 2010, he called for the complete elimination of Social Security. Similar to Scott, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has suggested that Congress regularly renew the entitlement programs. However, Johnson has proposed that it be done on an annual basis.” [The Hill, 2/8/23]

Washington Informer: Biden Exposed Republican Plans to Cut Social Security and Medicare. “When Republicans like Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Utah Sen. Mike Lee interrupted President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address to call him a liar, they may have forgotten their own words… Sen. Mike Lee said, ‘One thing that you probably haven’t ever heard from a politician: it will be my objective to phase out Social Security. To pull it up by the roots and get rid of it.’ In November, John Thune, the number two Senate Republican in leadership, declared that Social Security and Medicare benefits should be slashed. Florida Sen. Rick Scott is championing a plan to put Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on the chopping block every five years, which would put the health and economic security of 63 million Medicare beneficiaries, 69 million Medicaid beneficiaries and 65 million Social Security beneficiaries at risk. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin proposed sunsetting these laws every year. According to Politico, the Republican Study Committee, which includes most House Republicans, released a budget plan that would raise the entry age. The GOP would also raise taxes on some people who retire early or have a certain income, and they would privatize Social Security.” [Washington Informer, 2/9/23]

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9***

Lawmakers Have Long Promised to Rein in High Drug Prices, Lower Health Costs, and Expand Access — President Biden and Democrats Are Getting the Job Done.

During President Biden’s State of the Union address, he celebrated the administration’s accomplishments and outlined further action to lower costs and improve care for people across the nation. During the speech, President Biden called on Congress to make lower health care premiums permanent, expand the monthly $35 insulin cap to everyone, close the Medicaid coverage gap for remaining states, and extend Medicare solvency. Prior to the president’s address, Protect Our Care released its agenda for 2023, calling on Congress to keep up the momentum to lower health care costs, improve care, and advance health equity.

Last year, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which lowered prescription drug and premium costs for millions of seniors and families. Two weeks ago, HHS announced that a record 16.3 million people signed up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. The administration has also worked to stop surprise billing, strengthen maternal care, and reduce racial, rural, and other disparities in our health care system. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on these health care gains. Republicans, on the other hand, are doubling down on their war on health care by raising premiums, ending Medicare and Medicaid as we know it, reversing recent coverage gains, and hiking prescription drug costs for the American people. 

NEVADA
WHO:
Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV-03)
Barb Hartzell, Nevadan health care storyteller
Donna West, Nevadan health care storyteller

WHEN: February 9th at 11:00 AM PT

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required) 

ARIZONA
WHO:
Saundra Neely-Cole, President of Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
David Lucier, President of Arizona Veterans and Military Leadership Alliance
Protect Our Care Arizona

WHEN: Thursday, February 9 at 2 PM MST

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)

On Tuesday night, President Biden delivered his State of the Union address, celebrating the administration’s accomplishments and outlining further action to lower costs and improve health care for people across the nation. President Biden made clear he was committed to protecting vital programs — including Medicare and Social Security — from Republican attacks and building on recent health care gains to lower insulin costs, expand Medicaid, and more. As part of the event, key lawmakers welcomed guests who demonstrated the importance of affordable and accessible health care for everyone. Here are a few of their stories:

Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Lacy McGee
Lacy McGee is an insulin user from Atlanta, who has struggled to afford her medication despite having private insurance. She has been forced to ration her insulin or even rely on the black market to obtain the lifesaving drug. Lacy’s story demonstrates the importance of extending the Inflation Reduction Act’s monthly insulin cap to everyone. Watch Lacy’s story here.

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and David Hovde
David Hovde from Appleton, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with diabetes. He takes two kinds of insulin, which was costing him hundreds of dollars monthly. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, his insulin costs are now capped at $35 per month. Watch David’s story here. 

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and Marguerite Bailey Young
Marguerite Bailey Young is a 94-year-old type two diabetic and retired teacher from Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Inflation Reduction Act has allowed Marguerite, who is on a fixed income, to save around $2,000 a year on insulin. Watch Marguerite’s story here. 

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Cindy Mundell
Cindy Mundell is a retired Cardiac ICU Nurse from Naperville, Illinois. She relies on Social Security and Medicare to stay healthy. Watch Cindy’s story here. 

Last night, President Biden delivered his State of the Union address to the nation. During his speech, President Biden made clear he is committed to protecting vital programs — including Medicare and Social Security — from Republican attacks. He also called on Congress to make lower health care premiums permanent, expand the $35 monthly insulin cap, close the Medicaid coverage gap for the remaining states, and extend Medicare solvency for over two decades. Coverage made clear that lowering health costs and improving remains a top priority for 2023. 

Read Protect Our Care’s 2023 agenda here. 

COVERAGE:

The Wall Street Journal: Biden Calls For Insulin Cap, Praises Medicare Drug Negotiation. President Biden called for expanding a $35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for insulin and criticized Republicans for wanting to repeal parts of legislation that will let Medicare negotiate some drug prices. … “One in 10 Americans has diabetes. Every day, millions need insulin to control their diabetes so they can stay alive,” Mr. Biden said. “Big Pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars – four to five hundred dollars a month – and making record profits. Not any more. Not any more.” He also praised one of this administration’s biggest accomplishments on drug pricing: Legislation empowering Medicare for the first time to negotiate with drug makers over some prices. [The Wall Street Journal, 2/7/23]

Politico: “The Time For Talking About The Health Care Problems That Occupy Voters’ Minds — Like Reducing Health Care Costs — Has Arrived.” . “President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday night made one thing clear as we inch closer to election season: The time for lingering on the messy details of the pandemic is over, and the time for talking about the health care problems that occupy voters’ minds — like reducing health care costs — has arrived… As expected, Biden called for a universal $35 insulin price cap for all Americans… Biden reiterated calls to fill the Medicaid coverage gap for the roughly 2 million people living in the 11 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under Obamacare… The president pledged that neither Medicare nor Social Security would be cut and he would veto attempts to slash them. He also said he planned to extend the Medicare Trust Fund by at least two decades.” [Politico, 2/8/23]

USA Today: Biden Wants Insulin Cost Cap Of $35 A Month For All Americans. Biden on Tuesday mentioned how the person who discovered insulin didn’t patent so that it would be available to everyone. Canadian scientist Frederick Banting discovered insulin in 1921. Scientists treated the first diabetic patient in 1922 and sold the patent to the University of Toronto for 3 Canadian dollars. The university administered the patent and received royalty payments from drug companies that sold human insulin. [USA Today, 2/7/23]

The Washington Post: Biden’s Medicare Comments Sparked Fireworks, Even As He Used His Speech To Outline Areas Of Health-Care Cooperation. “The most acrimonious moment in last night’s State of the Union address came when President Biden said some Republican proposals would sunset Medicare and Social Security – and loud protests erupted inside the House chamber… It led to a perplexing moment that ended with Biden ad-libbing, ‘“I enjoy conversion,’” to suggest some Republicans had changed their position. Most of the chamber then stood up and clapped when Biden said,’ “So tonight, let’s all agree — and apparently we are — and stand up for seniors….We will not cut Social Security! We will not cut Medicare!’”” [The Washington Post, 2/8/23]

Healthcare Finance News: Biden Touted The Strides His Administration Has Made In Health Care, Such As Capping Out-Of-Pocket Insulin Costs At $35 For Medicare Beneficiaries Through Passage Of The Inflation Reduction Act . “Biden touted the strides his administration has made in health care, such as capping out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries through passage of the Inflation Reduction Act… ‘This law also caps out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors on Medicare at a maximum $2,000 per year when there are in fact many drugs, like expensive cancer drugs, that can cost up to $10,000, $12,000 and $14,000 a year,’ he said. ‘If drug prices rise faster than inflation, drug companies will have to pay Medicare back the difference. And we’re finally giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. Bringing down prescription drug costs doesn’t just save seniors money. It will cut the federal deficit, saving taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars on the prescription drugs the government buys for Medicare. Why wouldn’t we want to do that?’” [Healthcare Finance News, 2/8/23]

Kaiser Health News: Health Policies Were A Prominent Theme In Biden’s State Of The Union Speech. “President Joe Biden on Tuesday delivered his State of the Union address to a politically divided Congress for the first time, calling for permanent fixes on policy priorities like unaffordable health costs… Biden also took victory laps, some of which focused on health care initiatives. He talked about the savings to people and to the federal government that would result from allowing Medicare to negotiate what it pays for prescription medicines… He dedicated an estimated four minutes to his efforts to hold down health care costs — namely prescription drug prices — and pointed a finger directly at Big Pharma.”.” [KHN, 2/8/23]