Trump pushing hard to leverage Medicare purchasing power in drug price negotiation: 5 thoughts

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., said President Donald Trump is joining forces with Democratic legislators to use Medicare's purchasing power to drive down drug prices, The Hill reports.

Here's what you should know.

1. Republicans have historically disliked the idea and voted against past legislation that sought to accomplish the same thing.

2. Federal regulation prevents using Medicare to drive down pharmaceutical prices. Rep. Cummings said President Trump had "enthusiastic support" and vowed to improve the federal government's negotiating powers.

3. Rep. Cummings warned President Trump that the Republicans would oppose any measure of the sort. President Trump "was not deterred," The Hill reports.

4. Rep. Cummings presented President Trump with a proposal allowing Medicare negotiating powers, and replied by saying the bill should go further, instructing HHS Secretary Tom Price to examine the legislation.

Rep. Cummings said to The Hill, "We told the president that … we weren't expecting any major support from the Republicans, and the president basically said this is something that's important to him. And he looked at Price and he said, 'I want you to get this done. Period.'"

5. After the meeting concluded, the White House issued a statement reiterating President Trump's stance on the issue, but offering few specifics, The Hill reports.

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