Search
 
News

Procedural rules in U.S. Senate could exclude employer-provided insurance from drug-pricing legislation

Excluding employer-provided care from drug pricing reform is raising concern among both progressive and employer organizations.

By Alan Goforth | September 06, 2021 at 09:04 AM
Blister pack with dollars instead of pills One proposed alternative that could comply with the Byrd rule is to impose an excise tax on drug companies that set prices in the employer market above the negotiated rate. (Photo: Shutterstock)

A plan by Senate Democrats to lower prescription drug prices may not include the roughly 150 million people with employer-provided health insurance, “The Hill” reported.

The secretary of Health and Human Services would be allowed to negotiate lower drug prices under the legislation, which is part of a proposed $3.5 trillion spending package. The House bill would apply these prices not only to seniors on Medicare but also to workers who get health insurance through their employers. In the Senate, however, the so-called “Byrd rule” requires that provisions have a sufficient impact on the federal budget. Lowering drug prices for people with private insurance does not have as direct of an impact on the federal budget as lowering Medicare prices.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2023 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

New COVID variant is on the rise, has tripled in the past 2 weeks

New COVID variant is on the rise, has tripled in the past 2 weeks

Alan Goforth |

Although the pandemic is over, COVID-19 remains a persistent threat, as incidents of a highly mutated variant, BA.2.86, have tripled in the past 2 weeks but the CDC is confident the vaccines will be effective against the new strain.

BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2024Event

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.

Get More Information
 

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2023 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.