Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
Associated Press
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden s call for authorizing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices has energized Democrats on a politically popular idea they ve been pushing for nearly 20 years only to encounter frustration.
But they still lack a clear path to enact legislation. That s because a few Democrats remain uneasy over government price curbs on pharmaceutical companies.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will need every Democratic vote in a narrowly divided Congress. Otherwise, Democrats may have to settle for a compromise that stops short of their goal. Or they could take the question into the 2022 midterm elections.
May 3, 2021 3:05 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden’s call for authorizing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices has energized Democrats on a politically popular idea they’ve been pushing for nearly 20 years only to encounter frustration.
But they still lack a clear path to enact legislation. That’s because a small number of Democrats remain uneasy over government price curbs on pharmaceutical companies.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will need every Democratic vote in a narrowly divided Congress. Otherwise Democrats may have to settle for a compromise that stops short of their goal. Or they could take the issue into the 2022 midterm elections.
Democrats seek narrow path to rein in cost of prescription drugs Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
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WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden s call for authorizing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices has energized Democrats on a politically popular idea they ve been pushing for nearly 20 years only to encounter frustration.
But they still lack a clear path to enact legislation. That s because a few Democrats remain uneasy over government price curbs on pharmaceutical companies.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will need every Democratic vote in a narrowly divided Congress. Otherwise, Democrats may have to settle for a compromise that stops short of their goal. Or they could take the question into the 2022 midterm elections.
Democrats see opening to challenge âpharmaâ and cut cost of medicines
The industry thwarted President Donald Trumpâs multi-pronged efforts to constrain its pricing power, emerging from his term with just a few nicks and cuts.
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President Joe Biden has called for authorizing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, energizing Democrats on a politically popular idea they ve been pushing for nearly 20 years. [ ELISE AMENDOLA | AP ]
Updated 2 hours ago
WASHINGTON â President Joe Bidenâs call for authorizing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices has energized Democrats on a politically popular idea theyâve been pushing to no avail for nearly 20 years.
National News
May 3, 2021
FILE - In this June 15, 2018, file photo, pharmaceuticals are seen in North Andover, Mass. President Joe Biden’s call for authorizing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices has energized Democrats on a politically popular idea they ve been pushing for nearly 20 years only to encounter frustration. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, file)
WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden’s call for authorizing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices has energized Democrats on a politically popular idea they’ve been pushing for nearly 20 years only to encounter frustration.
But they still lack a clear path to enact legislation. That’s because a small number of Democrats remain uneasy over government price curbs on pharmaceutical companies.