Trump said he would send Americans $ 200: who can get the money

On September 24, President Donald Trump announced that many Americans with Medicare would receive $ 200 cards in the mail “within a few weeks” to help ease their prescription drug costs. This political will aims to increase support for older people ahead of election day. Business Insider.

Photo: Shutterstock

"This have not happened before. These maps are incredible,” Trump said at a health event. — The cards will be sent by mail in the coming weeks. I will always take care of our wonderful seniors.”

About 33 million Americans receive Medicare benefits, and the measure could cost $ 6,6 billion, Bloomberg reported. But it is not immediately clear where the funds will come from and whether the White House had the legal authority to distribute the cards.

A senior administration official told Business Insider that the initiative will be approved as part of a program that gives Medicare the opportunity to explore new policy ideas. The card could be used to co-pay for prescription drugs, the official said, and the initiative will build on "savings" from Trump's Most Favored Nations plan.

On the subject: Trump signed a decree on US health care reform: what will replace Obamacare

The proposal gives the United States the lowest Medicare drug price compared to other countries of similar wealth. But the proposal did not come into force.

Juliet Kubansky, deputy director of Medicare at the Kaiser Family Foundation, told Business Insider that it would be difficult for the administration to use savings from a program that doesn't exist.

“This proposal was not even officially announced,” Kubanski said. “It is very difficult to see how the administration can use savings that have not materialized.”

Kubansky added that the administration is likely to face legal action from the pharmaceutical industry if it tries to implement "most favored nation treatment" through regulatory action. The drug manufacturers are fiercely opposing this.

“We have no idea how much this will save, and spending money you don't have in the bank is unwise, in this case unprecedented,” she said.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a prominent lobbying group, told Business Insider that it was unaware of the Trump administration's plans.

“PhRMA has no additional information about the cards,” the spokesperson said. “As we have said, one-time savings cards will neither provide long-term care nor advance the fundamental reforms needed to ensure older people can afford their medications.”

Several recent polls have shown Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is crowding out Trump among older voters.

On the subject: Within a day and for free: how the United States will distribute the vaccine against COVID-19 and who will receive it

The Trump administration has sought to lower drug prices as one of its priorities. The New York Times recently reported that the White House was close to closing a deal with drug makers to cut prices last month. But negotiations fell apart after White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, demanded that the industry fund $ 100 drug payments to the elderly ahead of the election. The drug manufacturers rejected the idea of ​​“trump cards”.

On Thursday, September 24, the President also said he was signing a decree, which refers to the "official policy of the US government to protect patients with pre-existing medical conditions." However, these protections are already enshrined in the Affordable Care Act, signed by President Barack Obama. The Trump administration is backing a Republican lawsuit with the Supreme Court to overturn the law.

Read also on ForumDaily:

'It will be like in Belarus': Trump does not promise to peacefully surrender power in case of defeat in elections

During quarantine, Americans massively buy up weapons: demand has almost doubled

Trump administration renews 'public burden' rule

Federal authorities accused three major US cities of 'anarchy' and will deprive them of funding

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.