As we near a key milestone in the publication of prices for the first 10 drugs Medicare selected for pricing, discussing the program’s implementation to date and continuing evolution is essential to gain a clearer picture of what’s happening and what’s next.
Please join us for a series of discussions featuring new research and resources about the inevitable changes – both intended and unintended – and the predictable costs and consequences.
At What Cost? features leading experts in health equity, access, and patient rights highlighting the latest research and insights into Medicare drug pricing. Please follow along at #MoreThanAList.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 11:30 AM ET
University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design Mark Fendrick, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease Ken Thorpe, Capitol Street Ipsita Smolinski, Council for Affordable Health Coverage Joel White
*FULL RECORDING*
RELATED RESOURCES:
University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design on IRA -
- IRA White Paper
- How to Make Sure the IRA Works For All Patients
- CMS Must Obtain Physician Input to Prevent Access Barriers
- CMS Should Do More to Fufill the IRA's Promise to Lower Drug Costs
With the first list of drug prices for Medicare out and Part D plan premiums pending release, understanding the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Medicare drug coverage to date and its ripple effects are essential to what’s happening and what’s next. Please join us for a discussion about the inevitable changes – both intended and unintended – and the predictable costs and consequences. The Inflation Reduction Act’s drug pricing represents much #MoreThanAList when considering impacts on access and patient costs. This important discussion among policy and economic experts will focus on what’s next for patient access to medicines, Part D coverage, and the realities of cost savings at the pharmacy counter.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 11:30 AM ET
Lumanity Martin Strebl-Bantillo, Autoimmune Association Molly Murray, Cancer Support Community Claire Saxton, Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance Arun Nagendra
*FULL RECORDING*
RELATED RESOURCES:
PFCD/Lumanity Fact Sheets on IRA Impact on Treatments for Lung & Rare Cancers, Mental Illness & Autoimmune Diseases
Experts agree that the IRA will lead to fewer new medicines in the future,
but those estimates don’t include the losses from the important gains
from finding new indications from existing FDA-approved medicines.
New research from Lumanity uses case studies for existing drugs for
rare diseases, cancers, mental illnesses, diabetes, cardiovascular and
autoimmune diseases. Join us to discuss: Which diseases are at risk of
innovation losses and why? What are the harms to patient health? What’s
driving those risks and what can be done to lessen the potential fall out?
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 11:30 AM ET
Alliance for Aging Research Michael Ward, American Enterprise Institute Kirsten Axelsen
*FULL RECORDING*
RELATED RESOURCES:
Alliance for Aging Research - Patient Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act: Administrative Options to Address Changed Incentives for Formulary and Utilization Management
Real Clear Health: Changes to Medicare Could Make it More Expensive by Kirsten Axelsen
Health plans face higher costs under the IRA’s redesign of Medicare
Part D drug coverage. How do these changes and pressure on keeping
premiums low and plans profitable affect access to medicines under Part
D and Medicare Advantage? What is at stake for patient access to the
medicines they need? What costs will they face? Join us to explore recent
research and analysis on how IRA has changed Part D and what Medicare
beneficiaries should expect.
MONDAY JULY 29, 11:30 AM ET
National Hispanic Council on Aging Yanira Cruz and Christina Pacheco, National Minority Quality Forum Gary Puckrein
*FULL RECORDING*
RELATED RESOURCES:
National Hispanic Council on Aging Study: More Low-Income Subsidy Enrollees Pay Part D Premiums in 2024
Pricing setting and “negotiation” will create access, adherence, and quality of
life challenges, particularly for some of America’s most vulnerable populations
covered by Medicare. The IRA redesign of Medicare drug coverage leaves
those receiving low-income subsidies and people living with one or more
chronic conditions at risk of less access and higher costs – worsening health
disparities. What are the implications for efforts to reduce health disparities
and promote better health outcomes for all? Join us to explore new research
from Avalere on how the IRA undermines low-income subsidies and undercuts
health equity, and what can and should be done to prevent this.