Trump Eyes Drug-Price Cuts After His Health-Care Record Is Attacked
- Trump called for bipartisan legislation in State of the Union
- But administration considering unilateral action on prices
Donald Trump on Feb. 7.
Photographer: Al Drago/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
President Donald Trump is considering executive action to cut drug prices ahead of the 2020 election, officials familiar with the matter say, as he enters his re-election seeking to rebut Democratic criticism that his policies have hurt U.S. health care.
If he proceeds, Trump would force drug companies to accept lower payments from Medicare for treatments administered in doctors’ offices, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.’s immune-boosting Opdivo for cancer and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Eylea for eye conditions. The rule would apply to certain drugs bought by the “Part B” section of Medicare, the program for the elderly and disabled.