Outside the administration, Trump’s intended drug debit cards are drawing criticism from the pharmaceutical industry, budget and health policy experts of both political parties, and even a conservative publication. Health policy specialists question whether the drug cards would be a legal way to use the provision, known as Section 402. “The drug cards may offer a little bit of help to a lot of people on Medicare, but not a lot of relief to people who take expensive, lifesaving medications,” she said. But it notes that, for 2020, standard Medicare drug plans require people to pay a $435 deductible, then 25 percent of the price of their medicine until they reach an out-of-pocket threshold. The card idea has drawn criticism from Trump’s usual allies on the right, including a signed column in the Federalist, a conservative online magazine.

Source: Washington Post October 15, 2020 17:39 UTC