Patients, medical groups protest proposed drug exclusions in private Medicare plans

Major medical groups, patients, and policy experts are gathering on Capitol Hill today to protest one of the Trump administration’s ideas for bringing down Medicare drug costs. The proposed rule, introduced in November, would give private Medicare plans the flexibility to exclude from their plans six classes of drugs — including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiretrovirals — that they are now required by law to cover. And it could require patients to try cheaper drugs before more expensive ones are covered. Critics say that if implemented, the change could negatively impact the millions of patients in the U.S. who are living with HIV, cancer, and other diseases.