Medicare policy expert and HMA Managing Principal Jonathan Blum weighed in on the Trump administration’s recently proposed rules for pharmacy rebates and plans to reduce prescription drug prices in a blog post for Health Affairs.
Blum provided insight to questions about implementation of the proposed drug rebate reforms and whether they will lead to lower drug prices. The fundamental changes proposed would govern how pharmaceutical manufacturers pay rebates to pharmacy benefit managers and managed care plans contracted with Medicare, as well as state Medicaid programs.
He also addressed the variables outlined in the administration’s 2018 plan, American Patients First, which aim to reduce out-of-pocket costs and lower drug prices.
Blum joined HMA in 2018. In his previous leadership role at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2009-2014 he had direct responsibility for administration of the Medicare program.