S.2650: Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019

The Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act (S. 2650) would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Medicare-administered prescription drug plan tasked with negotiating lower prescription drug prices against privately administered prescription drug plans currently offered under Medicare Part D.

Key provisions of this bill include:

1) Medicare-operated drug plans would be available nationwide with a uniform monthly premium;
2) The price paid for drugs in other countries would be used as benchmarks for negotiating with drug companies;
3) The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality would assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of drugs, and help promote value and quality;
4) An Advisory Committee would ensure patients access the medications they need, and an efficient appeals process would be established to empower patients and reduce administrative burdens. No former senior executive or registered lobbyist from a drug manufacturing company would be allowed to serve on this Committee

H.R. 4769 is the House companion bill.