CMS News

We are very pleased with the court’s decision allowing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to move forward with plans for notice and comment on a prescription discount card program. The Administration’s efforts to offer a Medicare-endorsed prescription drug card would provide necessary relief to the millions of seniors and disabled Americans whom are forced to pay full price for their prescriptions. Earlier this fall, we received 28 applications for the program that offer significant discounts and pharmaceutical benefits, including applications from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and consumer and retail pharmacy organizations.

We believe a drug discount plan is a first step to provide needed help to seniors—but not a substitute for a drug benefit. At the same time, we will continue to work with Congress on the President’s proposals for Medicare reform, including a prescription drug benefit. Seniors deserve access to the same kind of prescription drug discounts that most other Americans enjoy. We are committed to provide discounts that are available now to most other Americans to millions of seniors as soon as possible.