WASHINGTON, DC (May 23, 2017): Today, the Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) – a coalition of employers, insurers, brokers, agents, patient groups, and physician organizations – responded to the release of President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2018. CAHC President Joel White released the following statement:
“The Council for Affordable Health Coverage is pleased that this budget includes many of the positive reforms to lower drug costs that CAHC has advocated for in our meetings with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) earlier this year,” said CAHC President Joel White. “The budget’s support of value-based arrangements, reduced reporting burdens for drug and device manufacturers, and the allowance of pre-approval communication between manufacturers and payers will help foster greater innovation and lead to greater competition and better patient outcomes. Importantly, these changes will save billions in fiscal costs and even more in lower premiums. CAHC called for enactment of these policies in our Prescriptions for Affordability initiative last week and set the stage for meaningful action on market-based solutions to improve prescription drug access for all.”
White added, “CAHC also strongly supports the administration’s proposed repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). We need serious, smart solutions to control Medicare spending while protecting beneficiaries. IPAB does just the opposite. It has the potential to cut seniors off from treatments and innovation that could improve both their health and the health of the Medicare program. Congress should follow suit and enact legislation to take the threat of IPAB off the table once and for all.”
###
About the Council for Affordable Health Coverage
The Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) is a broad-based alliance with a primary focus: bringing down the cost of health care for all Americans. CAHC promotes policies that lower health costs through increased competition, informed consumers and more choices to help promote access to affordable coverage.