[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 131 (Thursday, August 1, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I think we should save the taxpayers a 
lot of money by giving States more options under Medicaid.
  Unlike Medicare and private insurance, Medicaid doesn't incentivize 
bundled payments. This prevents States from testing a method that could 
potentially save money.
  The bipartisan prescription drug pricing reform legislation I 
introduced with Senator Wyden allows States to collect rebates from 
drugs in outpatient settings. This removes an existing exemption in 
statute for some outpatient drugs and allows States to more completely 
utilize and test bundled payments to possibly save money.
  Giving States flexibility allows them to focus on the best care for 
different populations. Encouraging bundled payments in Medicaid would 
do just that.
  I yield the floor.

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