President Trump’s nominee to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services refused to endorse giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, an idea the president has endorsed.
Seema Verma, who headed the creation of Indiana’s Medicaid Program, hedged when asked if she supported giving Medicare negotiating power during her confirmation hearing Thursday.
“I don’t think that is a simple yes or no answer,” Verma said at the Senate Finance Committee hearing.
Verma noted that competition drives down prices and that she was happy that the nation has pharmacy benefit managers that manage drug plans for insurers.
Sen. Ron Wyden, of Oregon, the top Democrat on the committee, pressed Verma for specifics on driving down prices.
“Give me a specific change to Medicare Part D that you would suggest to bring costs down,” he said.
She said she supported policies that would help seniors making a decision “that works best for them so they can see what plan works for them and what plan is affordable to them.”
Wyden said he still “didn’t get a specific example.” He added that he supports a host of measures such as giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices and increasing transparency.
Trump has endorsed the idea of giving Medicare negotiating power, but has not pushed for legislation to advance the issue.
