ICYMI: Medicare Administrator & President Biden Announce Ten Drugs up for Negotiation with Big Pharma

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All!

 

Thought I'd start the week off with some good news from President Joe Biden and Medicare/Medicaid (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure!  After all, don't you get your belly full of the faux news of T-rump - an ongoing diatribe of his misbegotten antics that are designed to push essential information to the back ground while you watch his clown show?  

Well, that's not gonna happen here!  We don't focus on miseducation, misinformation, or all the efforts to distract us from what is essential for us as we are pushed closer and closer to the brink of distraction by nefarious individuals bent on dictatorship over democracy in America.

I think most of us can agree that if you don't have health - good health - you don't have anything.  Your quality of life is jeopardized by not having access to quality medication, quality care, insurance, or discretionary funds to cover the cost.  But thanks to President Joe Biden taking an aggressive role in tackling some of these egregious violations and costs, by actually giving Medicare and Medicaid the boosts needed to help people - sadly they're just not aware of these programs and their benefits.

I keep hearing people complain about the cost of food at the grocery stores, but they don't understand that there are other things that also converge on this.  

I recently had the privilege of  a telephonic interview with President Biden's Administrator for CMS  (Medicare and Medicaid).  As you well may already know, President Biden has been instrumental in reducing diabetes medication from $400.00  to $35.00 per month!  Sadly, Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the US - some 11.3% and sufferers have often been caught between paying for the medication and putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their heads.  

 

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure - first Black woman to govern Medicare and Medicaid - speaks on the first ] Ten Drugs that will be negotiated by Medicaid

Under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, according to Ms. Brooks-LaSure, the next drugs targeted for cost reduction are:  Eliquis, Xarelto, Jardiance,  Farsig, Entresto, Januvia, Embrel, Imbruvia, Stelara, and insulin injections such as Fiasp and Novolog.   Medicare has spent over $12.8 billion on Eliquis alone between 2021 and 2023.  

Per Administrator Brooks-LaSure, "This announcement has been the most impactful for people. This is one of the most exciting times in health coverage - and this has been the most exciting week - to come to fruition.  For the first time Medicare will be able to negotiate drug prices on behalf of people with Medicare, and the American Taxpayer.  And this is step one!   What we did was to announce the first ten drugs selected for Medicare to negotiate.  These are drugs with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer.  When you look at the list of ten drugs, the people who take them spend thousands of dollars on prescription drugs each year.  There is a lot of data we released as part of the announcement that really helped capture what it means for people who are taking these drugs.  

"Along side the drug negotiations there are provisions in the law that are going to make these drugs more affordable. Starting next year  those who suffer from these conditions are going to see a cap on their costs, because they are easily among some of the highest costing drugs in the country.  So we were really excited that the President is really making good on his promise to the American people to strengthen the Medicare program for today's Seniors, and people with disabilities - as well as for generations to come."

Of course we all know that Big Pharma is loving these measures like crazy.  And I know that they have the full backing of the  repuglycon party.  Correct?  I'm sure that  Brooks-LaSure is their favorite person on the planet for doing God's work, and ensuring that all Americans have the right to good health and appropriate medical treatment.  I mean, this has got to be the top thing on the agenda of the repuglycon party - to make sure their constituents have the best health at the lowest cost - Right???  Of course, you know I'm being facetious.  The only people the Repuglycons are concerned about are their cronies who  are financing efforts on their part to undermine any advancements that do not line their pockets.  So between them and Big Pharma expect major push back.  They're already trying to get the courts to rule in their favor against the reductions in medical costs for Americans. 

Confirming this, Ms. Brooks-LaSure commented:  "As I know you know, the President passed the legislation in Congress, and the party vote was very decisive on the Democratic side, and we did not get Republican support, as you well know."

Big Pharma has a big lobby that they're trying to levy against what CMS is trying to do.  The challenge is how to combat, or get around their madness?  They're considered very powerful because they're getting a boost from other private industries and right wingnut greed.  In addition to getting around that is the challenge of getting the message out to the people  - which is where they seem to have the most difficulty.  At every turn, President Biden has kept his word, exceeded expectations, but some of these measures really don't kick in until 2025 or 2026.  

Sadly, most people are distracted by food and housing costs, that are immediately under their noses, and don't have a feel for things that are down the line.  The other tragedy is the fact that media spends more time covering the ignorant antics of the opposition party (I did a little tongue in cheek there - you guys all know who I'm talking about), and less than 1% covering the substantive measures President Biden has already put in place and continues to accomplish.

Per Administrator Brooks LaSure: "I think it's critical for everyone to know that the law is already taking effect.  And you're right, we need to get the word out, because once people know what's in the legislation, they are thrilled.  And this year, right now, some of the provisions of the law have already taken effect.  So for people who are already on Medicare, vaccines that are recommended by the CDC are free.  And some of those are expensive.  The Shingles vaccine, for example, before this legislation passed, could cost $300.00!  And now Seniors can get the Shingles vaccine for free thanks to the legislation.  The second provision that's already in effect is the $35.00 cap per month on insulin products.  Yesterday I met a man who said just his insulin was $400.00 a month - now it's $35.00 a month.  So you can see seniors, people who depend on the Medicare program are starting to experience savings.  And next year, more provisions come into effect.  

"There's one people don't hear a lot about, which takes effect next year is modest income seniors will qualify for what we call "Extra Help."  And people today who qualify for extra help with their Medicare direct costs, and inflation reduction help, expands that coverage so that more people will qualify next year.   People can call:  1-800-MEDICARE!  They can talk to other counselors to see if they are eligible for that program."

According to Brooks-LaSure, moderate income Seniors cap is 150% of the poverty level. which costs out to be $21,870.00 for a family of one; $29,580 for a couple; $45,000 for a family of four.   And the next provision is for people with high drug costs - such as insulin, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc., there will be a cap on their out of pocket costs.  And this is the first time this has happened in the Medicare Program if you have prescription drug coverage.  In 2025 that cap will be $2000.00 for everybody.

With the diabetes gap being the start, and with  America having the highest percentage of osteoarthritis in the world, I asked about anything plans for those sufferers in the near future. 

Administrator Brooks LaSure stated that one of the drugs selected for negotiation is for Rheumatoid Arthritis, with others up for consideration.  But these drugs I'm speaking of now constitute an aggregate is savings of well over $28 billion.

Medicare Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure is the first Black Woman to head Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is working closely with President Joe Biden to provide comprehensive affordable medical coverage for all Americans

President Biden's Inflation Reduction Plan, and his newest strategy dubbed "Bidenomics" clearly shows his commitment to put more money in the pockets of Americans - building from the bottom up and the middle out - a total departure from 40 years of "Reaganomics" so called trickle down policy where the theory was that when the rich got richer, the largesse would trickle down benevolently to those who were less well off.  The real result, and many well know, was middle class and economically deprived Americans were trickled on instead - with the rich removing industries to countries where they paid less for cheap labor, while many Americans lost jobs, communities lost support, and the cost of everything, including medication, housing, education spiraled exponentially out of control - culminating in the economic downturn of 2007.  

While former President Barack Obama tried to effect a more comprehensive medical system to cover all Americans, it was challenged by the republycons, and delivered with much of what would have benefited us on the chopping block.  Still, it did bring about a more comprehensive option for Americans who, heretofore, had no options.

Now, with the ability to negotiate the cost of drugs, and bringing drug costs down for seniors to $2,000 per year, many can begin to breathe a sigh of relief that they and their loved ones can have better options for health care and receiving essential medications.

Also for future consideration by CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure, are the costs of DMEs (durable medical equipment) such as mobility scooters, in home hospital equipment, and other essential items.  I also inquired about the consideration of having Stem Cell therapy covered by Medicare and Medicaid, which would seriously speed recovery and mitigate the requirement of  long term medical and drug dependency.  We have agreed to set that as a future conversation.  

Spoiler Alert:  Big Pharma absolutely hates the concept of anything that doesn't require long term medical dependency.  It's their stock in trade.  SMH

President Joe Biden and CMS Administrator are working together for y/0ur health.  You can assist in the process by keeping abreast of what's going on, and showing your appreciation for the accomplishments in other areas as well.  The meanstream media would have you believe that little to nothing is being accomplished.  It's up to you to keep informed.  In addition to reading ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS, you can do some fact checking of your own.  

President Biden, his administration, the Democratic party and well meaning Americans are standing in the breach of efforts to push America into a fascist regime where votes are abrogated, women's rights are undermined, decent education is trashed, judges are corrupt, and media is used as propaganda masquerading as the news. We all have a responsibility to be informed and be involved.  

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

 

 

STAY BLESSED