Pelosi blesses 'transformational' drug pricing deal endorsed by key holdout Kyrsten Sinema
In a win for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Democrats have reached a deal on lowering presciption drug pricing as part of their $1.75 trillion spending package, The Hill and The Wall Street Journal report.
"For a generation, House Democrats have been fighting to deliver real drug price negotiations that will lower costs," the speaker wrote in a statement on Tuesday. "With today's agreement ... Democrats have a path forward to make good on this transformational agenda for our seniors."
"I am pleased with the compromise reached by House members and [Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz)]," Pelosi added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
When announcing the agreement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also made sure to note that support from key holdout Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who had opposed the House's much broader prescription drug proposal, writes The New York Times. Medicare pricing provisions had been excluded from the $1.75 trillion framework released by the White House last week, but only because President Biden worried they would impact the bill's congressional chances, per the Journal. This new "hard-fought" agreement may not include everything Democrats' wanted, but "it's a big step in helping the American people deal with the price of drugs," Schumer said.
Medicare drug price negotiation was one of the last unresolved issues in the $1.75 trillion bill, notes the Los Angeles Times. Other negotiation points include climate and immigration.
"Fixing prescription drug pricing has consistently been a top issue for Americans year after year, including the vast majority of both Democrats and Republicans who want to see a change because they simply cannot afford their medications," said Schumer on Tuesday. "Today, we've taken a massive step forward in helping alleviate that problem."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Khan supporters converge on Islamabad
Speed Read Protesters clashing with Pakistani authorities are demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Prosecutor drops federal cases against Trump
Speed Read Special counsel Jack Smith requested to drop the charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How much of RFK Jr.'s health care agenda could he deliver in Trump's Cabinet?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION He says he wants to 'Make America Healthy Again,' but Donald Trump's pick to lead one of the nation's top public safety institutions has many health care experts worried
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Khan supporters converge on Islamabad
Speed Read Protesters clashing with Pakistani authorities are demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Prosecutor drops federal cases against Trump
Speed Read Special counsel Jack Smith requested to drop the charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump completes Cabinet selections
Speed Read The president-elect's latest picks include Scott Bessent and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Speed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'The double standards don't trouble the critics'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
GOP's Mace seeks federal anti-trans bathroom ban
Speed Read Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to ban transgender people from using federal facilities
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published