Medicare was cleared to negotiate drug prices for the first time by the Senate’s top rules official, though the Democrats’ proposal intended to cap price increases for prescription drugs in the commercial market was blocked.
The ruling is a partial victory for drugmakers, who could try to make up their lost profits in Medicare on private insurers.
The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled that most of the drug price bill is eligible for a fast-track budget process whereby Democrats, who have a narrow majority in the chamber, can pass legislation without the threat of a Republican filibuster.
