Today, high prescription drug prices can force people with Medicare to choose whether to take the medicines they need or to ration or go without needed treatments. It is in this context that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed several changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and standalone Part D prescription drug plans with a goal of supporting negotiation for lower drug prices and reducing out of pocket costs for enrollees.
Unfortunately, while we are in alignment with CMS about the need to address rising drug prices, we strongly disagree with the agency’s proposals to weaken the “protected classes” protections and permit step therapy for Part B drug coverage. Such changes have the dangerous potential to disrupt or even end access to some medications for people with Medicare….
