Watch: Medicare & Drug Pricing, Time to Think Differently

The landmark 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has already helped people with Medicare save on health care costs for vaccines and insulin, but, as with anything in Washington, that’s not the full story.

Increases in utilization management tactics, a guiding framework of health insurers and hospital systems to mitigate costs, are emerging as an unintended consequence of the IRA. Other provisions are starting to shift research dollars away from some medicines and towards others. At the same time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is tasked with finding $98.5 billion in savings over the next decade from Medicare drug price negotiation alone, and to do so while prioritizing equitable patient care.

What are the lessons learned from the first round of Medicare direct negotiation, and how can CMS improve the program in year two? How should Washington address the unintended consequences of the IRA? What do beneficiaries need to know about their 2025 drug plans and Open Enrollment later this year? And how should all stakeholders begin to think differently when it comes to Medicare, drug pricing, and patients’ best interests?

Join The Hill for a deep dive into these questions and more with academic experts, lawmakers, and advocates. 

Program Segments:

Reduced Costs & Continued Cures (In conversation with Steve Scully, Contributing Editor, The Hill)

• Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Member, House Energy & Commerce Committee

Protecting Patients & Providers (In conversation with Steve Scully, Contributing Editor, The Hill)

• Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-Iowa), Member, House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health

Panel: Threading The Needle On Drug Price Negotiations (In conversation with Steve Scully, Contributing Editor, The Hill)

• Dr. Jennifer Ellis, Co-Chair, Health & Public Policy Committee, Association of Black Cardiologists & Cardiac Surgeon; Cardiac Surgeon
• Dana P. Goldman, University Professor of Public Policy, Pharmacy & Economics, University of Southern California; Founding Director, Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service
• Daneen Sekoni, VP – Policy & Advocacy, Cancer Support Community

Sponsor Perspective (in conversation with Joe Ruffolo, SVP & General Manager, The Hill)

• Michael Ward, VP – Public Affairs & Government Relations, Alliance for Aging Research

Have a question? Reach us on social media @TheHillEvents using #TheHillHealth

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At the Alliance for Aging Research, our team’s mission is changing the narrative to achieve healthy aging and equitable access to care. The Alliance strives for a culture that embraces healthy aging as a greater good and values science and investments to advance dignity, independence, and equity.  Our work is rooted in helping people live longer, healthier lives.