Dear John,

Happy Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Day to all who celebrate.

The Biden administration announced today the program would have saved $6 billion if the new negotiated prices were in place in 2023.

With negotiated drug prices being a big part of the Inflation Reduction Act, there's no better time to highlight the ahead-of-print article from Laura Tollen from this week exploring how the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program should be evaluated in the short and long term.

Expanding Medicare Coverage Of Anti-Obesity Medicines

The introduction of highly effective anti-obesity medication, such as Wegovy, has prompted debate over Medicare's prohibition on such products.

In an ahead-of-print article released today, Benedic Ippolito and Joseph F. Levy explore how expanding Medicare coverage of these medications could increase annual spending by $3.1 billion to $6.1 billion.

After analyzing data associated with drug costs, real-world adherence rates, and potential changes to other health care spending, the researchers predict this increase in spending would occur regardless of a policy change.

Comprehensive SEC Disclosure Rules Can Reduce Health Care Emissions

Victor Agbafe et al.

Community & State is the business segment of UnitedHealthcare that provides health care coverage for the economically disadvantaged, the medically underserved and those without the benefit of employer-funded health plans. These state-based health plans meet local needs, while leveraging the national resources of UnitedHealthcare.

Join Health Affairs Monday, August 19, for a virtual event on the implications of recent nursing home developments for residents, their families, and the future of long-term care.