Senate backs drug price bargaining

Late Wednesday, the Senate took a major step toward allowing HHS to negotiate the prices of drugs provided under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Eleven Republicans joined 43 Democrats in a 54-44 vote to pass a resolution that seeks to override the "non-interference" provision of the Medicare Modernization Act that prohibits HHS from negotiating drug prices. The resolution, sponsored by Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), must be passed by the Senate as part of the overall budget bill, which is expected in the fall. ...