President Trump used his State of the Union address to prod Congress to codify his "most favored nation" plan to bring U.S. drug prices in line with what other developed nations pay.
Why it matters: Trump made clear he is comfortable making health care a prominent feature of Republicans' midterm election plans, despite misgivings among some in his party and the GOP's vulnerability on affordability.
- The gambit could backfire if people don't actually see a change in their own costs, Axios' Caitlin Owens reported.
Reality check: There have been no signs of the kind of activity you'd expect to see on Capitol Hill if Republicans were trying to turn the drug pricing deals or the rest of Trump's "Great Healthcare Plan" into legislation and pass it.
Trump also touted the new TrumpRx website, where people can download coupons for decreased cash-pay prices on select medications.
- "I took prescription drugs, a very big part of health care, from the highest price in the entire world to the lowest," Trump said.
- But most Americans likely won't feel much impact from the initiatives, economists and health policy experts say.
Zoom out: Trump also took aim at health insurers, saying he wants to "stop all payments to big health insurance companies and instead give that money directly to people so they can buy their own health care ... at a much lower cost."
- It was an argument he used to oppose extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies last year.
What they're saying: Democrats and left-leaning advocacy groups quickly countered Trump's claims that his administration is bringing down health care costs.
- "Premiums are skyrocketing, drug prices are outrageous, and hard-working people are being crushed under the weight," Brad Woodhouse, CEO of progressive group Protect Our Care, said in a statement ahead of the speech.
- "No amount of showmanship during the State of the Union can erase the reality millions are facing at their kitchen tables."
The drug industry trade group PhRMA said most-favored nation policies would undermine U.S. competitiveness while doing nothing to address insurance practices that raise health costs.
- "These policies would siphon billions from American R&D, slow the pace of cures and increase reliance on China for future innovation," said the group's CEO Stephen Ubl.
Editor's note: The story has been updated with comment from PhRMA.
