The Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, passed in 2022, gave the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services the authority to negotiate drug prices in Medicare for the first time.
The aim is to lower the amount the government, through Medicare, pays for prescription drugs. But these changes may come with unintended consequences for patient access.
These include:
In January 2025, CMS announced the next 15 medications that are up for negotiation. The list includes medicines used to treat:
CMS needs to hear from patients, providers and care partners on why these medications are important options for you – and why patients need continued access to all appropriate therapies.
1. Submit public comment.
Patients, care partners, health care providers and others can submit comment on their perspectives with the health condition selected medications treat. Specifically, CMS is seeking input on unmet medical need and impacts to specific populations. Submissions must be made by 12:00 AM PST on March 1, 2025.
How to Submit a Comment:
ARE YOU A PATIENT, CAREGIVER OR PATIENT ADVOCACY GROUP?
Questions I36-42 are most appropriate for you. You can answer as many – or as few – questions as you’d like. Please be prepared to answer questions I36-42. CMS wants to hear from you on topics including:
ARE YOU A CLINICIAN?
Questions I43-49 are most appropriate for you. You can answer as many – or as few – questions as you’d like. Please be prepared to answer questions I43-49. CMS wants to hear from you on topics including:
ARE YOU A RESEARCHER?
Questions I50-56 are most appropriate for you. You can answer as many – or as few – questions as you’d like. Please be prepared to answer questions I50-56. CMS wants to hear from you on:
ARE YOU A CONCERNED PUBLIC INDIVIDUAL?
Questions I57-60 are most appropriate for you. You can answer as many – or as few – questions as you’d like. Please be prepared to answer questions I57-60. CMS wants to hear from you on:
2. Share your story.
If you’re a patient, care partner, or patient advocacy organization, you can register to speak in a patient-focused roundtable related to your medication. These events are intended to collect patient-focused input related to the patient experience. These meetings will be held virtually, but will not be livestreamed, in spring 2025. More information to come on how to register.
3. Join a townhall.
Clinicians, researchers and others from the public may also register to participate in a clinically oriented virtual townhall, to be held in spring 2025. More information to come on how to register.
1. Many of the conditions treated by these medications are serious, debilitating conditions.
2. Each patient needs tailored treatment.
3. Innovation is needed for all patients.
Hashtags: #ChronicIllness #PatientAccess #IRA
Sample Posts
Chronic conditions can make it difficult for patients to complete everyday tasks and can significantly impact patients’ quality of life.
Patients, caregivers and providers need to share their perspective to guide policy decisions that impact treatments for all patients.
Questions? Contact Stephanie Hu at [email protected].
Below is a list of current legislation that supports patients with serious mental illness.
SB 1083 HB 2449
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SB 24-110
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SB 268 HB 491
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HB 1179
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SB 1636 HB 2456
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SB 990 HB 1423
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H 989 S 631
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S 1192
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HB 680
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SB 618 AB 654
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