This is an important time to think about the future of programs and policies that support us as we age. Medicare marks its 50th Anniversary at the end of July. I’ve been around to witness much of the creation and evolution of health policy. After a 40-year career in Aging and Health Policy, first in the Senate, then at AARP, and now as head of the National Coalition on Health Care, I have a few observations about where things stand.
“These numbers paint a troubling picture for the future of the American economy. The dramatic rise in prescription drug spending proves that it is more important than ever to advance a solution to monopolistic drug pricing. We cannot afford to continue on this unsustainable path.”
“Breakthrough treatments such as Praluent hold tremendous medical promise for certain patients, but it’s price tag makes us question how long the health system can sustain these costs for patients managing chronic conditions over several years.”
PRESS STATEMENT: New Report Shows Medicare Spending Increase Driven By Specialty Drug Prices
Exorbitant price tags for specialty medications are taking a serious financial toll on state budgets. A new analysis released yesterday from the California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) shows that treating only 10 percent of 175,000 patients in state-funded health care programs with just three hepatitis C medications would cost California roughly $1-2 billion.
A recent study of over 2,500 voters in Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire found that prescription drug prices are becoming a hot political issue in these early primary states. The study was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing.
John Rother, President of the National Coalition on Health Care and Chair of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing issued the following statement in response to a recent health tracking poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation that found that an overwhelming 76% of Americans blame pharmaceutical companies for the rising cost of medicines.
COST OF INNOVATION PANEL ON JUNE 11, 2015
May 21, 2015 Morning Consult: “New Cures, Old Problems: Poll Shows Drug Affordability Addles Americans” “The House Energy and Commerce Committee is slated to vote today on legislation that offers incentives to the pharmaceutical industry to develop new drugs and devices. But the bill does little immediately to address what a new Morning Consult poll found […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kara Batt (571) 239-6547 [email protected] #### May 20, 2015 — UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust (the “Trust”), the largest non-governmental payor of retiree health care benefits in the United States, has joined the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP), a broad-based coalition working for solutions to skyrocketing prescription drug prices. “As […]