The future of drug pricing policies in the United States depends on the outcome of the 2024 elections, with Democratic and Republican candidates presenting distinct approaches. Vice President Kamala Harris aims to expand the Biden administration’s existing policies, while former President Donald Trump’s position remains less defined.
Harris has pledged to broaden the scope of Medicare drug price negotiations, a key achievement of the Biden presidency, to include more drugs and benefit a broader population. It intends to use the resulting savings to fund an ambitious new proposal to cover long-term home care under Medicare. That means a commitment to build on the current administration’s efforts to reduce drug costs and expand access to care.
By contrast, Trump has offered fewer details about his drug pricing plans. While he has campaigned to reduce prescription costs, his approach remains largely unclear. This lack of clarity leaves voters uncertain about the future of drug pricing policy under a potential Trump administration. The two candidates’ contrasting approaches highlight the importance of this issue in the upcoming election and its potential impact on the affordability and accessibility of medications for Americans.
