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In reply to the discussion: Heard it first on DU? Thom or BIG ED are you listening? [View all]BlueStreak
(8,377 posts)29. Medicare Part D bans the Medicare system from being involved at all.
It says that only the PRIVATE insurance companies that actually implement Part D are able to negotiate. And because each insurer is much smaller than the Medicare system at large, they have much less bargaining power.
The point is that the "government" isn't allowed to be involved at all, not directly, and not indirectly by working with the VA.
Having the Medicare agency negotiate these prices would have two cost-reducing benefits. First, it would lower the prices for the drugs themselves. Secondly it would lower the overhead carried by the Part D insurers.
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Genius. And it should even lower costs more for VA and everyone since they'll be buying tons more.
JaneyVee
Feb 2013
#4
I remember the republican response when democrats asked, why can’t we negotiate prices?
busterbrown
Feb 2013
#10