Considering the Impact of Federal Drug Pricing Proposals on State Medicaid Programs

This project aims to provide timely analyses of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and identify the implications of current drug-pricing proposals on beneficiary access and Medicaid prescription drug costs. The project consists of a series of four blog posts that will analyze drug-pricing proposals being seriously considered by federal policymakers and how they interact with the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program using a literature review of prior Congressional Budget Office, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, and Georgetown University Center for Children and Families analyses. It also will offer ways to strengthen the rebate program, as it is likely the most effective approach to address rising drug costs while maintaining needed accesses to drugs. Specific topics will be decided in conjunction with Fund staff, although they could include analyses of proposals to increase Medicaid rebates related to certain new, high-cost “accelerated approval” drugs or efforts to reduce drug costs in Medicaid managed care.