WASHINGTON, DC (May 11, 2018): The Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) – a coalition of employers, insurers, life science companies, PBMs, brokers, agents, patient groups, and physician organizations – celebrated President Trump’s newly released “American Patients First” plan to focus on lowering prescription drug costs.
A leader in drug affordability efforts, CAHC previously wrote to the President urging his administration to prioritize removing barriers to value-based arrangements (VBAs) in its drug pricing plan and, last year, unveiled a comprehensive blueprint for lowering prescription drug costs estimated to save $71 billion a year. The plan also highlighted VBA measures while calling on policymakers to reject calls for government interference in Medicare Part D price negotiations. President Trump’s proposal released today upholds both objectives.
CAHC President Joel White released the following statement commending the President’s plan:
“Value-based arrangements are already working to improve plan flexibility and drive down costs in private insurance but, for too long, federal barriers have prevented Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries from sharing in the savings. That is why value-based arrangement reforms were at the heart of CAHC’s Prescriptions for Affordability blueprint last year – which drew praise from every sector of the healthcare industry. We applaud President Trump for including CAHC’s recommendations to remove government-imposed impediments to better bargains for patients. We look forward to responding to the administration’s solicitations for feedback and offering additional suggestions to help effectuate these goals,” said CAHC President Joel White.
White continued, “The many proposals outlined today need to be reviewed, examined and vetted. The Trump administration knows, as we do, that market-based solutions work better to lower drug costs than any government program. The long-term effects of today’s bold proposals, if implemented properly, will prove this true once more. We look forward to partnering with the administration and Congress on ensuring markets and incentives lower drug costs and improve patient access by promoting value.”
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About CAHC:
The Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) is a broad-based alliance with a primary focus: bringing down the cost of health care for all Americans. CAHC promotes policies that lower health costs through increased competition, informed consumers and more choices to help promote access to affordable coverage. Learn more at CAHC.net.
CAHC unveiled its Prescriptions for Affordability initiative in May of 2017, as reported in Politico, Washington Examiner, Modern Healthcare, and others. The proposal offers a blueprint for lowering prescription drug costs supported by drug manufacturers, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, patient advocates, and employer groups.