Mike Rogers Voices Opposition to Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
During a senior town hall meeting in Troy on September 20, former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers expressed strong opposition to Medicare negotiating drug prices, describing it as “sugar high politics.” Rogers, who is vying for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat against U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, emphasized his stance against federal involvement in drug price negotiations, which he believes should remain untouched by government intervention.
The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Joe Biden, introduced the ability for Medicare to negotiate drug prices. This legislation also capped monthly out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.[Source]
Rogers highlighted his role in supporting Medicare Part D, a program designed to cover prescription drug costs, which he advocated for during his time in Congress in 2003. “I was involved in adding prescription drugs to Medicare for the very first time,” he stated. “I worked to make Part D available and it saved literally thousands and thousands of dollars per family.”
Despite backing Medicare Part D, the legislation included a clause that barred the federal government from negotiating drug prices, a move supported by the pharmaceutical industry. Rogers defended this provision, arguing that free market principles would naturally lower drug costs.[Source]
However, a 2019 Congressional Budget Office report indicated a significant increase in net spending on specialty drugs within Medicare Part D, rising from $8.7 billion in 2010 to $32.8 billion in 2015.[Source]
Rogers suggested that drug price negotiations could lead to premium hikes, citing rumors of potential increases exceeding 125% in the coming year. He criticized Democrats for using drug price negotiation as a campaign tactic, claiming it offers short-term benefits at long-term costs for voters.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), negotiated drug prices could result in discounts of 38 to 79% off list prices, potentially saving Medicare an estimated $6 billion annually if applied to the first 10 drugs selected for negotiation.[Source]
Rogers’ communications director reaffirmed his dedication to Medicare, while a post by Rogers’ campaign alleging that Slotkin voted to cut Medicare when supporting the Inflation Reduction Act was labeled “False” by Politifact.[Source]
Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Chan criticized Rogers for maintaining high prescription drug prices, accusing him of siding with pharmaceutical interests. Additionally, a report highlighted Rogers’ past advocacy for increased access to pain medications during his congressional tenure.[Source]
Rogers’ campaign linked concerns about potential Medicare premium hikes to a Fox News report, suggesting political motives behind the Inflation Reduction Act’s premium cap provision, which limits annual premium increases.[Source]
