President Trump should take real steps to actually lower drug prices, including ... supporting expanded Medicare negotiation...
Support expanded Medicare negotiation to lower drug prices.
Occurrences
Lowering the prices drug manufacturers charge, including an expansion of Medicare negotiation;
Evidence
U.S. Senators Peter Welch and Amy Klobuchar reintroduced the Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, aiming to expand Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices, thereby lowering costs for consumers and reducing federal spending.
Senator Welch celebrated the White House's selection of 15 additional prescription drugs for Medicare price negotiations, building upon the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions that he helped pass.
Senator Welch criticized President Trump's Executive Order that aimed to undermine Medicare's drug price negotiation program, emphasizing his commitment to protecting these provisions.
Senator Welch, along with Senate Democrats, outlined plans to build on existing reforms to deliver lower prescription drug prices and criticized the administration's inaction on drug pricing.
Senators Peter Welch and Josh Hawley introduced legislation to lower prescription drug prices by prohibiting pharmaceutical companies from selling drugs in the U.S. at higher prices than the international average.
Senators Peter Welch and Roger Marshall introduced the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2023 to limit abusive pricing practices by pharmacy benefit managers, aiming to reduce drug costs.
Senator Welch introduced the 340B PATIENTS Act to protect the 340B drug pricing program, ensuring lower drug costs for vulnerable populations.
Senators Peter Welch and Amy Klobuchar introduced legislation to enhance Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices, aiming to lower prescription drug costs for consumers.
Assessments
Senator Welch repeatedly introduced, co-sponsored, and advocated for legislation to expand Medicare's ability to negotiate lower drug prices. He also supported and defended existing and proposed reforms, celebrated incremental gains under the Inflation Reduction Act, and took bipartisan and public actions on drug pricing. However, there is no evidence provided that the specific, broader expansion of Medicare negotiation authority—beyond the provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act—was fully enacted into law during this term. Thus, while significant effort and partial progress have been made, the complete fulfillment of the promise remains partial.