Press Room

Share

New Medicare Drug Rule Could Leave Patients Unable to Access Needed Medications

September 14, 2020

Washington, D.C.—The Trump administration issued an executive order Sunday that would significantly change how Medicare pays for certain prescription drugs. The “Most Favored Nation” policy would tie Medicare drug reimbursement for certain drugs under Part B and D to that of prices paid in select foreign countries.  

A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: 

“ACS CAN shares the underlying goal of making prescription drugs more affordable. However, the executive order involving Medicare drug coverage creates significant questions around drug accessibility, which could potentially make it much harder for cancer patients to get the drugs necessary to treat their disease. The United States is often the first to approve innovative new cancer therapies and it is unclear how or whether such therapies would be covered by Medicare should the program’s payment mechanism be tied to countries that have not yet approved or have declined to pay for these drugs.    

“The countries included through the Most Favored Nation policy have significant differences in their health systems and supply chains and the policy does not appear to take these differences into account. Imposing such significant changes—especially in such a short timeframe—could mean some cancer medications are not available, and patients are unable to get essential care. It is also unclear if these changes would save only some patients money or result in cost shifting onto patients with private insurance.  

“Dramatic changes to Medicare’s drug coverage should only be undertaken with careful consideration as to how such changes may affect patient access, especially for those with a history of cancer.    

“ACS CAN looks forward to an opportunity to comment on the full details of this proposal and will continue to evaluate the executive order to determine the potential impact on cancer patients and survivors.”  

 

More Press Releases AboutAccess to Health Care, National

Media Contacts

Allison Miller
Director, Media Advocacy
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]
202-585-3241
Alissa Crispino
Vice President, Media Advocacy & Communications
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]
202-661-5772

Related Press Releases

May 8, 2025

New York State Budget Fails to Address Paid Leave

This week, New York state leaders released details on the state budget for FY 2025-26 and patient advocates are responding with disappointment over the failure to produce solutions to improve New Yorkers’ access to paid leave and, with it, their financial mobility. The same advocates visited Albany last month for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day to promote the importance of Senate Bill 172/Assembly Bill 84, the proposal to improve New Yorkers’ access to time off during treatment which now has 73 Assembly co-sponsors and passed the Senate in March.   

Read More
May 7, 2025

Legislation Passes that will Shield Virginians from Unfair Medical Debt Collection Practices

Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin approved legislation to reduce the burden of medical debt on Virginians.  The proposal, which was championed by Delegate Karrie Delaney in the Legislature (House Bill 1725), will limit the burden of medical debt by ensuring that interest rates on medical debt are limited to 3% a year, wage garnishment is prohibited for all patients who quality for financial assistance programs and patients’ core financial assets, like their home, are safeguarded. 

Read more
April 30, 2025

Cancer Survivors Connect with New York State Lawmakers for ‘Cancer Action Day’

Over 130 volunteer advocates from across New York, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, convened at the state Capitol today for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with their state lawmakers and urged them to support policies that aid in the fight against cancer. 

Read more