Trump's State of the Union includes call for reference pricing legislation
Skip to main content
MDHC_Logotype_white
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • This Week's News
    • COVID-19
    • Providers
    • Insurance
    • Government
    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Safety & Quality
    • People
    • Regional News
    • Digital Edition
    • Biden admin throws out Texas Medicaid waiver
      Hospitals face specialty pharmacy challenges with insurer competition
      Pandemic propels medical supply companies
      Payers, providers clash over telehealth reimbursement as Congress mulls changes
    • Pandemic propels medical supply companies
      U.S. setting up $1.7B national network to track virus variants
      Next Up Podcast: Managing the COVID-19 vaccination rollout with Dr. Gary Little
      Barbers, artists help defy vaccine myths for people of color
    • Some healthcare associations moving full steam ahead with conferences starting in summer
      COVID hospitalizations in Michigan top fall surge; Beaumont seeing nurse 'burnout'
      Calls mount for Biden to track U.S. healthcare worker deaths from COVID
      Front-line workers want more assistance after a year of COVID-19
    • UnitedHealthcare sees Q1 profits rise and other key earnings takeaways
      California re-opens enrollment for health insurance coverage
      Insurers are partnering to offload the costs of kidney failure patients
      Cigna and Oscar expand their small business partnership
    • Biden admin throws out Texas Medicaid waiver
      J&J vaccine pause a minor blip, but efforts must press on, experts say
      Effort to keep Arkansas Medicaid plan falls short in state Legislature
      A year into pandemic, federal officials design new mask guidelines to better protect more workers
    • Private equity's estimated healthcare spending halved in first quarter
      UH reports $54.7M operating income for 2020 despite significant COVID-related costs
      CMS issues new guidance to enforce price transparency rule
      Massachusetts to crack down on highest-cost hospitals, insurers
    • Bright Health scoops up telehealth startup
      FCC to open next round of COVID-19 telehealth program applications
      CHIME, HLTH to host joint spring conference next year
      Anthem, Blackstone launch new joint venture
    • Michigan expands antibody treatment to cut hospitalizations
      J&J vaccine pause a minor blip, but efforts must press on, experts say
      A year into pandemic, federal officials design new mask guidelines to better protect more workers
      FDA pauses enforcement of in-person dispensing requirement for abortion pill
    • Oscar names new virtual-first care division president
      Redfield joins Big Ass Fans, which promotes controversial COVID-killing technology
      Next Up Podcast: Modern Healthcare's editor Aurora Aguilar talks new content direction
      Novant Health adds chief payor performance officer
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • South
    • West
  • Insights
    • ACA 10 Years After
    • Best Practices
    • Special Reports
    • Innovations
    • The Affordable Care Act after 10 years
    • A close-up of a woman receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
      Providers in underserved communities work toward equitable vaccine distribution
      Josh Bradshaw
      How one rural Illinois county vaccinated 84% of its senior citizens by early March
      Dr. John Fischer
      Patient-reported outcomes tool for hernia surgery helps physicians improve care
      New care model helps primary-care practices treat obesity
    • A family photo of the the Hangens.
      Stressing the already burdened pediatric behavioral health system
      Jennifer Pannone and her daughter Victoria.
      Mental health access for children needs attention
      What's next for on-demand telehealth companies?
      A CalOptima PACE vaccination clinic.
      Will COVID-19 be the catalyst for creating a more sustainable healthcare system?
    • Ryan McGinnis
      Finding efficiencies in the OR using tech
      Dr. Daniel Hall
      UPMC pilots machine learning, telehealth to inform patient transfers
      A woman being recorded using her inhaler on a smartphone.
      Digital check-ins, connected inhalers help control asthma
      A phone screen showing the question, "Mary we hope this information was helpful and we'd like to keep guiding you. Are you interested in knowing when it's your turn to receive the vaccine?"
      Chatbots, texting campaigns help manage influx of COVID vax questions
  • Transformation
    • Patients
    • Operations
    • Care Delivery
    • Payment
    • Mayo Clinic launches two tech companies
      Diabetes patients at high risk for COVID-19 are managing conditions more effectively
      Nearly 1 in 5 Americans skipped care due to cost last year
      COVID-19 long-haulers need holistic treatment, providers say
    • Amazon gives out $12M under next phase of AWS diagnostics development initiative
      Malpractice premiums peak in 2020, AMA survey shows
      A rendering of a cancer research institute at the University of Southern California that will include 5G.
      Healthcare providers determine how to best use ultrafast 5G
      Two-thirds of largest hospitals aren't complying with price transparency rule
    • Hospitals face specialty pharmacy challenges with insurer competition
      Addressing long-standing barriers needed for mental and physical health integration
      A close-up of a woman receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
      Providers in underserved communities work toward equitable vaccine distribution
      The waiting room of a Kaiser Permanente clinic at a Target location.
      Health systems revamp their approach to retail clinics
    • Payers, providers clash over telehealth reimbursement as Congress mulls changes
      When money talks. Why cash pay is becoming more popular
      CMS wants to bump pay for hospices, SNFs next year
      CMMI pauses new Direct Contracting model applications
  • Data/Lists
    • Rankings/Lists
    • Interactive Databases
    • Data Points
    • Health Systems Financials
      Executive Compensation
      Physician Compensation
  • Op-Ed
    • Bold Moves
    • Breaking Bias
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Vital Signs Blog
    • From the Editor
    • Dr. Alan Kaplan
      The risks, rewards of taking organizations 'where they haven’t gone before'
      Wellstar CEO calls adapting for the pandemic her bold move
      Howard P. Kern
      Recognizing the value of telehealth in its infancy
      Dr. Stephen Markovich
      A bold move helped take him from family doctor to OhioHealth CEO
    • Drs. Hal Paz and Joshua J. Joseph
      Mobilized to fight the COVID crisis: a blueprint for community and academic partnerships
      Dr. Stephen Markovich
      Making sure we're aligned along the path to achieving inclusion
      Barry Ostrowsky
      Ending racism is a journey taken together; the starting point must be now
      Laura Lee Hall and Gary Puckrein
      Increased flu vaccination has never been more important for communities of color
    • It's time we fulfill the ACA's promise to broaden access to lower-cost drugs
      Five lessons for securing our children's future
      We're losing engaged providers, and healthcare will pay the price
      Dr. Chris DeRienzo
      How COVID-19 broke health systems and made them stronger
    • Letters: Eliminating bias in healthcare needs to be ‘deliberate and organic’
      Letters: Maybe dropping out of ACOs is a good thing for patients
      Letters: White House and Congress share blame for lack of national COVID strategy
      Letters: VA making strides to improve state veterans home inspections
    • Sponsored Content Provided By Optum
      How blockchain could ease frustration with the payment process
      Sponsored Content Provided By Optum
      Three steps to better data-sharing for payer and provider CIOs
      Sponsored Content Provided By Optum
      Reduce total cost of care: 6 reasons why providers and payers should tackle the challenge together
      Sponsored Content Provided By Optum
      Why CIOs went from back-office operators to mission-critical innovators
  • Awards
    • Award Programs
    • Nominate
    • Previous Award Programs
    • Other Award Programs
    • Nominations Closed - 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
      Nominations Open - Top 25 Innovators
      Nominations Open May 24 - Top 25 Emerging Leaders
    • 100 Most Influential People
    • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
    • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
    • Health Care Hall of Fame
    • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
    • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
    • Top 25 Innovators
    • Minorities in Healthcare
      • - Luminaries
      • - Top 25 Minority Leaders
      • - Minorities to Watch
    • Women in Healthcare
      • - Luminaries
      • - Top 25 Women Leaders
      • - Women to Watch
    • Excellence in Nursing Awards
    • Design Awards
    • Top 25 COOs in Healthcare
    • 100 Top Hospitals
    • ACHE Awards
  • Events
    • Conferences
    • Galas
    • Webinars
    • COVID-19 Event Tracker
    • emburse certify modern healthcare custom media webinar logo lockup
      Sponsored Content Provided By Emburse
      Webinar: Making it easy to manage costs
      virtualmed staff modern healthcare custom media logo lockup
      Sponsored Content Provided By VirtualMed Staff
      Webinar: Best practices for creating a successful telepsychiatry program
      telehealth visit man touching neck while speaking to doctor on computer
      Sponsored Content Provided By Accumen
      Webinar: How telehealth has evolved into a standard of care
      modern healthcare custom media and trimedx custom webinar logo lockup
      Sponsored Content Provided By TRIMEDX
      Webinar: Bridging the gap between clinicians and administration to improve capital equipment planning
    • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
    • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
    • Healthcare Transformation Summit
    • Leadership Symposium
    • Virtual Briefings
      • - Hospital of the Future
      • - Mental Health
      • - Patient Safety & Quality
      • - Strategic Marketing
      • - Virtual Health
      • - Workplace of the Future
    • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
    • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
    • Top 25 Minority Leaders Gala
    • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
  • Listen
    • Podcast - Next Up
    • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
    • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
    • Video Series - The Check Up
    • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
    • Next Up Podcast: Managing the COVID-19 vaccination rollout with Dr. Gary Little
      Next Up Podcast: Modern Healthcare's editor Aurora Aguilar talks new content direction
      Dr. Chris DeRienzo
      Next Up Podcast: Building team spirit in the wake of COVID-19
      Mikelle Moore
      Next Up Podcast: Mikelle Moore on recognizing all hospital workers during the pandemic
    • Beyond the Byline: Kids' unchecked mental health needs pose long-term consequences
      Beyond the Byline: How COVID-19 has impacted hospital finances
      An older man sitting on a hospital bed with his back toward the camera.
      Beyond the Byline: Upcoding could explain why hospitals are increasingly billing for the most complex treatment
      Beyond the Byline: Insurers are betting on virtual-first plans as COVID-19 shifts care pathways
    • James garvert neustar healthcare insider podcast image
      Building on basics
      Healthcare Insider Podcast Episode Art - Premier
      Why Roger Weems and other consultants are leaving the big firms to join Premier
      James garvert neustar healthcare insider podcast image
      Outreach during COVID-19
      ann barnes healthcare insider podcast image
      Leading with intention to promote diversity and inclusion
    • The Check Up: Dr. James E.K. Hildreth
      The Check Up: Dr. James E.K. Hildreth of Meharry Medical College
      The Check Up: Matt Eyles
      The Check Up: Matt Eyles of AHIP
      The Check Up: Dr. Tom Shanley
      The Check Up: Dr. Tom Shanley of Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
      The Check Up: Dr. Harold Paz
      The Check Up: Dr. Harold Paz of Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University
    • ivana naeymi-rad one on one intelligent medical objects
      Video: Ivana Naeymi Rad of Intelligent Medical Objects
  • MORE +
    • Advertise
    • Media Kit
    • Newsletters
    • Jobs
    • People on the Move
    • Reprints & Licensing
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Government
February 05, 2019 12:00 AM

Trump's State of the Union includes call for reference pricing legislation

Susannah Luthi
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    President Donald Trump in his State of the Union address Tuesday night sought support of his administration's international reference price model for prescription drugs, promising that lower healthcare costs are the "next major priority for me."

    The president also urged Congress to push greater transparency across the healthcare industry, declaring that the government ought to require manufacturers, insurers and hospitals "to disclose real prices to foster competition and bring costs down." He did not outline any specific policy, despite expectations that he would call for legislation to end surprise medical billing practices.

    On a separate issue, he told Congress he would ask lawmakers in his upcoming budget proposal to commit funds to eliminate HIV in the U.S. within the next decade.

    Trump put significant heft behind HHS' proposed reference price model that would peg drug prices within Medicare Part B to the average price paid in similar countries, declaring it unacceptable that Americans pay much higher drug prices than people in other countries.

    "This is wrong, unfair and together we can stop it," Trump said.

    He asked Congress to pass legislation "that finally takes on the problem of global freeloading and delivers fairness and price transparency for American patients."

    Trump and HHS Secretary Alex Azar introduced the model as a proposed demonstration in October. Azar last month met with Republicans from the Senate Finance Committee to pitch the idea, which GOP lawmakers said they are considering. The secretary hasn't yet met with Finance Committee Democrats but plans to, according to an aide.

    In a speech that called for unity before devolving into a fiery defense of an immigration policy decried by Democrats, Trump also touched a partisan sore point on Obamacare.

    "We eliminated the very unpopular Obamacare individual mandate penalty," Trump said as he listed Republican-led accomplishments over the past two years. He also touted Right to Try, the law that gives terminally ill patients access to unapproved drugs.

    He also said that 2018 saw the "single largest decline" in drug prices in the last 46 years due to his administration's policies.

    According to Associated Press analysis, there were 96 drug price hikes for every cut in the first half of 2018, but ultimately fewer and smaller increases than in previous years.

    As he previewed his administration's push to end AIDS and HIV infection in the U.S., Trump said recent progress has brought "a once-distant dream within reach."

    The policy reflects the people tasked with healthcare, said William Pierce, senior director of the firm APCO Worldwide.

    Azar served as HHS general counsel when the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, was created and implemented. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for more than three decades, helped drive PEPFAR.

    Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developed and ran HIV/AIDS programs in Baltimore, and Joe Grogan, who now heads the White House Domestic Policy Council, worked on HIV/AIDS policy in HHS during the President George W. Bush administration.

    Taking on the abortion debate, Trump also asked for legislation to ban late-term abortions—an ask that is unlikely to go anywhere. He made the call in the wake of rollbacks of abortion regulations in Virginia and New York that have galvanized anti-abortion advocates.

    After advocates jumped on Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam for his defense of his state's proposal, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) pushed for a unanimous consent vote in the upper chamber to require care for infants who survive abortion or attempted abortion.

    Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed the call to action on drug prices with a warning that Congress and the administration "have their work cut out."

    "President Trump's call for greater transparency in healthcare should be a no-brainer," Grassley said. "I expect deep-pocketed interests to oppose anything and everything to protect the status quo. But the moment is ripe for action and Americans expect us to work together to get the job done."

    One House Democrat said that while the healthcare notes were a welcome counterpoint to some of the other points in the speech, they were vague.

    "I thought that was a good moment in the speech; I thought that to the extent that he follows through we maybe have an opportunity to make a deal," said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), who chairs the health subcommittee for the House oversight panel that is scrutinizing drug prices. "But again, I didn't hear a lot of specifics. I wish he would have talked about negotiation under Medicare Part D; I wish he would have talked about reducing obstacles to generics; I wish he would have talked about transparency to pricing."

    The president's push for cross-industry transparency felt more like rhetoric than a call to action, the congressman added.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Send us a letter

    Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.

    Recommended for You
    More than a dozen states to open vaccines to all adults
    More than a dozen states to open vaccines to all adults
    Becerra visits Nevada, stumps for pandemic aid and Obamacare
    Becerra visits Nevada, stumps for pandemic aid and Obamacare
    Sponsored Content
    Get Newsletters

    Sign up for enewsletters and alerts to receive breaking news and in-depth coverage of healthcare events and trends, as they happen, right to your inbox.

    Subscribe Today
    MH Magazine Cover

    MH magazine offers content that sheds light on healthcare leaders’ complex choices and touch points—from strategy, governance, leadership development and finance to operations, clinical care, and marketing.

    Subscribe
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    Modern Healthcare empowers industry leaders to succeed by providing unbiased reporting of the news, insights, analysis and data.

    MDHC_Logotype_white
    Contact Us

    (877) 812-1581

    Email us

     

    Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Editorial Dept
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Code of Ethics
    • Awards
    • About Us
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Modern Healthcare
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • This Week's News
      • COVID-19
      • Providers
      • Insurance
      • Government
      • Finance
      • Technology
      • Safety & Quality
      • People
      • Regional News
        • Midwest
        • Northeast
        • South
        • West
      • Digital Edition
    • Insights
      • ACA 10 Years After
      • Best Practices
      • Special Reports
      • Innovations
    • Transformation
      • Patients
      • Operations
      • Care Delivery
      • Payment
    • Data/Lists
      • Rankings/Lists
      • Interactive Databases
      • Data Points
    • Op-Ed
      • Bold Moves
      • Breaking Bias
      • Commentaries
      • Letters
      • Vital Signs Blog
      • From the Editor
    • Awards
      • Award Programs
        • 100 Most Influential People
        • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
        • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
        • Health Care Hall of Fame
        • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
        • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
        • Top 25 Innovators
        • Minorities in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Minority Leaders
          • - Minorities to Watch
        • Women in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Women Leaders
          • - Women to Watch
      • Nominate
      • Previous Award Programs
        • Excellence in Nursing Awards
        • Design Awards
        • Top 25 COOs in Healthcare
      • Other Award Programs
        • 100 Top Hospitals
        • ACHE Awards
    • Events
      • Conferences
        • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
        • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
        • Healthcare Transformation Summit
        • Leadership Symposium
        • Virtual Briefings
          • - Hospital of the Future
          • - Mental Health
          • - Patient Safety & Quality
          • - Strategic Marketing
          • - Virtual Health
          • - Workplace of the Future
      • Galas
        • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
        • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
        • Top 25 Minority Leaders Gala
        • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
      • Webinars
      • COVID-19 Event Tracker
    • Listen
      • Podcast - Next Up
      • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
      • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
      • Video Series - The Check Up
      • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
    • MORE +
      • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Newsletters
      • Jobs
      • People on the Move
      • Reprints & Licensing