The drug companies have already agreed to contribute the $80 billion, in part, by discounting drugs to Medicare beneficiaries, but Congress is looking to close a gap that forces many Medicare patients to pay a significant portion of their prescription costs, according to the report. Under the new proposal, Congress may up the discount from 50 percent to 75 percent.
Lobbyists said that in order to completely close the gap, which is Congress’s goal, other industries will have to chip in to help offset funds, according to the report.
Supporters of the overhaul have said that in spite of the increased contributions, pharmaceuticals and the biotech industry stand to profit from the reform as they will have access to 30 million new customers as part of the healthcare bills.
Read the WSJ’s report on pharmaceutical contributions to healthcare reform.
