Posted on 10/10/2018 12:46:58 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
President Trump on Wednesday signed two bills banning "gag clauses" that keep patients in the dark about how to save money on prescription drugs.
The clauses are sometimes included in the contracts insurers have with pharmacies — preventing pharmacies from telling customers they can save money on a drug if they pay with cash instead of using their health insurance.
"This is very strong legislation to end these unjust gag clauses once and for all," Trump said during a signing ceremony at the White House.
"All our citizens deserve to know the lowest price available at our pharmacies, and now that's what they'll be getting."
Trump thanked the sponsors of the bills who attended the ceremony, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.)
He also indicated he thinks Republicans might be able to work with Democrats on more drug pricing reform in the future.
"I really do believe Democrats want to do that, too," Trump said.
"If there's anything bipartisan, it's lowering drug prices."
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said there will be regulatory action in the weeks and months ahead focused on bringing down drug prices, a key Trump campaign promise.
Why THE HECK did this take so long?
This is good. I’ve actually had pharmacists say to me, “You didn’t hear this from me ‘cause I would get in trouble, but this would cost less than the deductible if you paid for this yourself instead of using your insurance.”
Gawd, I love this president. He actually moves the needle, unlike all the rest of government.
It’s one of the first questions consumers hear at the pharmacy counter, and many hand over their insurance cards in the hopes of getting a good price. But sometimes using insurance can actually cost more — and even prevent the pharmacist from saying so.
That’s because of so-called gag rules, which bar pharmacists from telling patients when they could save by paying cash instead of using insurance. The rules — set by companies that manage prescription plans — are getting new scrutiny after President Donald Trump singled them out for criticism in his plan for lowering drug prices.
A little history on these Gag rules for drug pricing.
I’m thrilled with the change. I only have Medicare Part A. On the rare occasions I’ve used medical care or pharmaceuticals, providers have gotten very sloppy about having knowledge about what lower cost options are available. They’re in the very bad habit of choosing options because “they’re covered”. With dental, it’s gotten so it’s tough to get dentists to even discuss options which are less expensive than what insured patients have in their plans.
You should have Medicare parts A & B. That’s what I have. I also have humana health insurance and humana’s prescription plan. Glad I do too, as I found out I had stage 1 cancer of my right lung. Fortunately it was contained and had not spread any where else. The doctor removed my top lobe of my right lung, as well as,the lymph nodes so they could be tested for cancer. Thankfully they came back as negative for cancer. So I do not even need to do chemo therapy. I am thankful that is the case. Chemo is nasty. Anyway, I have gotten my money’s worth for sure by having those coverages, even though they do put a strain on my budget.
Next the law needs to attack similar “gag orders” the giant hospital conglomerates have on insurers, demanding that competing hospitals (usually smaller ones) do not get the same pricing deals the insurers have with them, or they won’t accept their insurance plan.
Across the whole health care industry, between insurers, health care providers, the entire drug distribution and sale industry, and the medical diagnostic industry, their are deals amounting to “collusion against the consumer” carving deals and restrictions one to another, with have altogether the opposite impact of lowering the cost of healthcare.
For nearly sixty years ALL legal and political efforts have run after “health insurance”, in spite of the main driver of health insurance costs has been ever rising healthcare costs; with next to nothing going directly against it, just getting government and taxpayers covering more of it.
It’s been a giant racket of law making, lobbying and political contributions that has padded the wallets of the health care industry while making insurance the bogey man. It has been political diversion on a massive scale.
I take a very simple inhaled steroid for asthma that costs about $0.02 per dose but that comes in a magical “disk” that dispenses it for me into daily doses and that costs $270.
My insurance company would only pay $225, so after much bitching and whining I managed to get the insurance price as I have a high deductible plan w/ HSA.
(Btw when I asked my doctor to prescribe the steroids in a full powder and just tell me how long a line to snort each day, she cracked up and said, “No, that’s ANABOLIC steroids.”)
I will next demand a cash discount. Go Trump!
I highly recommend a low carb diet for the next two years. Cancer feeds on sugar. If you can keep you blood sugar levels down, you will likely “starve” any cancer cells that may have been missed.
I will take note of that. I do eat a lot of sugar, like chocolate. Will cut down. Thanks.
I’m glad to hear that your doctor diagnosed and cured you lung cancer when it was curable. For me, it’s a philosophical thing, taking my chances and keeping my immune system as functional as possible. Yeah, I know it’s not all that sensible. It’s where I got with medical care...my own and others.
The proposal had to go out for review to the public for comments, etc.
The one place where I think government intervention in business may be appropriate is to make sure consumers are fully informed so we can make the best choices.
Trust me I was the same way. 8>) My wife demanded otherwise.
goodrx.com
You can get the best cash price, show it to the drug store and most will honor it. Really helps you shop.
Saved me money. A lot of times cheaper than insurance copay.
I get my prescriptions filled by the VA. Co-pays are $5/month.
I had left my Lisinopril at home when I was on a 2-week trip. Managed to get a prescription from an urgent care. Took it to the VA and they couldn’t fill it right away. Took it to Costco, had it filled in 10 minutes and it was cheaper than the VA price.
Next step is to allow the re-importation of drugs manufactured in the U.S. After that, allow the importation of drugs manufactured by trusted companies in other trusted countries.
One example. I have metastatic prostate cancer and get a Lupron injection every three months. U.S. price is over $5,500. In Canada, I could go to a pharmacy and get the injection for under $1,200 and no charge for a pharmacist/nurse to inject it.
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