During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Health and Human Services secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that President Donald Trump is dedicated to negotiating lower drug prices. Kennedy emphasized Trump's commitment to this cause, assuring senators that the President wants to engage in negotiations to reduce drug costs.
When questioned by Sen. John Hickenlooper about the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act provision allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, Kennedy affirmed that Trump has expressed a strong desire to pursue negotiations in this area. He reiterated this sentiment to Sen. Bernie Sanders, emphasizing that Trump is keen on negotiating drug prices.
However, Kennedy's statements on Thursday contrasted with his response to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto during a previous confirmation hearing. Kennedy had informed Masto that Trump had issued an executive order supporting the Inflation Reduction Act program, which was not the case. Instead, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a statement expressing their commitment to enhancing the Negotiation Program and seeking input from stakeholders to improve transparency and value for beneficiaries and taxpayers.
Overall, Kennedy's testimony shed light on Trump's stance on drug price negotiations, indicating a strong willingness to address this critical issue. The administration's focus on achieving greater value for healthcare consumers and fostering innovation in the pharmaceutical industry underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to lower drug prices for the benefit of all Americans.
