Sen. Cortez Masto Questions RFK Jr. on Cancer Drug Costs and Medicare Premiums

Questioning High Drug Prices

• 💡 Senator Cortez Masto questioned HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding his stance on high prescription drug costs, particularly for cancer medications.
• 🎯 She highlighted that the "big beautiful bill" passed by Republicans shields billion-dollar drugs like Keytruda from Medicare negotiation, despite its high cost to patients and Medicare.
• ⚠️ Keytruda, a top-selling cancer drug, costs patients up to $175,000 annually, draining Medicare and causing financial hardship.

Medicare Negotiation and Exemptions

• 🔑 Cortez Masto pointed out that while Democrats allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, this administration's actions exempt Keytruda and other top cancer drugs from negotiation for years.
• ❓ She questioned how Kennedy justifies claiming to take on Big Pharma while supporting a bill that exempts these critical cancer drugs from negotiation.
• 🤷 Kennedy expressed uncertainty about the specific provision exempting Keytruda from negotiation within the bill.

Medicare Premiums and Costs

• 📈 The Senator raised concerns about rising Medicare Part D premiums, potentially increasing to $50 a month from $35 due to cuts in federal subsidies.
• 📊 Part B premiums are also expected to jump significantly, marking one of the largest single-year increases in decades.
• 📉 Cortez Masto pressed Kennedy on what actions he is taking to lower healthcare costs for seniors, given these impending increases.
• ✅ Kennedy cited the "program integrity bill" as an action that has lowered premiums by 5%, according to the Congressional Budget Office, though its direct impact on seniors was questioned.
• ⏱️ The Senator expressed frustration that the Secretary could not provide direct answers on how costs for seniors would be kept down.