"Medicare can't negotiate prices with pharma companies"
That's a common statement, but not really true.
Medicare Part D, which covered prescription drugs, is managed by private insurers who can negotiate for the price of drugs.
In Medicare Part B, which covered physician administered drugs, Medicare pays the average sales price. Which means every time a private insurer gets a lower price, some of that is passed onto Medicare.
So the statement "Medicare can't negotiate drug prices" is technically true, but ignores all the other ways it can get lower drug prices.
That's a common statement, but not really true.
Medicare Part D, which covered prescription drugs, is managed by private insurers who can negotiate for the price of drugs.
In Medicare Part B, which covered physician administered drugs, Medicare pays the average sales price. Which means every time a private insurer gets a lower price, some of that is passed onto Medicare.
So the statement "Medicare can't negotiate drug prices" is technically true, but ignores all the other ways it can get lower drug prices.