Medicare is supposed to care for us in our golden years. It includes a prescription drug benefit, Part D, which helps to pay for prescriptions.
Within Medicare Part D regulation there is a “non-interference” clause that is meant to protect market competition and patient access to medications by prohibiting the government from interfering in private price negotiations among drug manufacturers, insurers and pharmacies. This system has been working and patients benefit from it.
If this clause is eliminated as has been proposed, the government will have the authority to determine drug prices, which could lead to limiting the range of medications available at reasonable prices. There’s no need for the government to determine prescription prices and access; patients themselves should keep their right to choose what best fits them. Let’s keep this program in the right direction!