The Problem: Skyrocketing Drug Prices
- Prices are rising everywhere, but prescription drugs have jumped 46% since 2020—way more than groceries (24%) or housing (31%).
- Americans pay the highest drug prices in the world, forcing many to struggle to afford life-saving medications.
The Solution: Medicare Negotiations
In 2022, Congress passed a law allowing Medicare (government health insurance for seniors) to negotiate lower drug prices directly with drug companies.
- Why this matters: Drug companies often charge whatever they want, but now Medicare can push for fairer prices.
- Savings:
- $1.5 billion saved for seniors in 2025.
- $100 billion saved for taxpayers over 10 years.
President Trump’s Role
- Trump has long criticized drug companies for overcharging, calling their practices “getting away with murder.”
- His plan: Use Medicare’s new power to negotiate prices, create competition, and lower costs for everyone.
- If re-elected, he aims to expand this effort to crack down on lobbyists and drug industry greed.
What’s at Stake?
- If drug companies win: They could reverse Medicare’s negotiation power, causing prices to surge another 46% (nearly doubling today’s costs).
- Who benefits from high prices? Big Pharma (large drug companies) and their lobbyists.
Why This Matters to You
- For seniors: Cheaper medications mean more money for other needs.
- For taxpayers: Less government spending on drugs = lower taxes or better-funded programs.
- For families: No one should choose between groceries and life-saving pills.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just politics—it’s about fairness. Lowering drug prices helps:
- Seniors on fixed incomes.
- Families struggling with bills.
- Taxpayers funding government programs.
Steve Cortes, a former advisor to Trump, argues this is a critical moment to hold drug companies accountable.
Key Takeaway: Negotiating drug prices isn’t about politics—it’s about making healthcare affordable for all Americans.