Federal lawmakers have proposed legislation allowing HHS to push back on drug price hikes, according to a Reuters report.
Four things to know:
1. The bill was introduced by four Democrat U.S. senators — Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Kamala Harris of California, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Jeff Merkley of Oregon.
2. Under the bill, HHS could block drug price increases it determines are needless and exorbitant, according to the report.
3. The bill comes amid other efforts by lawmakers to combat high drug prices. In November, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., released plans for 2019 legislation that would direct HHS to ensure drug prices are in line with median prices in other countries, including France and Germany. And this month, the House passed a bipartisan drug-pricing bill targeting drugmaker practices that increase prices.
4. President Donald Trump has also spoken out against high drug prices, releasing his own blueprint to combat them in May.
Access the full Reuters report here.