Thread by @DusetzinaS

💊💊TWEETORIAL ALERT💊💊
New work out this evening in @NEJM @NEJMPerspec on the plan to redesign #Medicare #PartD and how much savings there might be for people enrolled in the program! This has been a moving target (I'm looking at you #BuildBackBetter)! I've got you covered! 1/7

The article is here for your reading pleasure:
nejm.org/doi/full/10.10…

I calculated savings relative to the 2022 benefit for the top 15 highest spending drugs in Part D for the major bills introduced that aimed to redesign the program. None are an exact fit, but HR3 is maybe the closest given the $2000 cap. Some details are still unknown. 2/7

Most people won't save very much, though it depends on some of those "TBD" details. That's actually OK because MOST #Medicare beneficiaries actually like the benefit! It works on average really well. 3/7

BUT, if you need an expensive drug you are going to REALLY see savings. Like 70-80% less spending out-of-pocket, depending on the final details and how much spending you have. This is HUGE for people needing cancer drugs and drugs for other complex illnesses. 4/7

For everyone else, you get to have the FINANCIAL SECURITY of not having to spend all of your money on a drug if you happen to need one that is very expensive. That's kind of the point of health insurance. It is why EVERYONE should support a cap. 5/7

Thank you to the members of Congress who have kept drug pricing and access reform alive in #BuildBackBetter #BuildBackBetterAct and the amazing staff and members who are focused on getting the details right! 6/7

Thank you to @Arnold_Ventures @commonwealthfnd and @LLSusa who have supported my time to do drug policy work, and specifically on Part D. I hope that beneficiaries will get some of the relief needed with this bill! 7/7.

To my fellow wonks and journalists please share! @sangerkatz @SarahKarlin @Luhby @jrovner @RESachs @AmeetSarpatwari @peterbachmd @UREssien @walidgellad @VUHealthPol @NancyKeatingMD @profmikecarrier

@SteveJoffe @jsross119 @MichelleM_Mello @askellyphd @shaferpr @michalhorny @sean_r_dickson @contirena1

@Prof_HeidiAllen @Meyer_HM @jcubanski @tricia_neuman @Loftus @bobjherman @WallisCJD @RAdamsDudleyMD @drdgoldstein @joeymattingly @jlevy2 @P4AD_