Inside STAT: Several Republicans campaigned on bold drug price reforms — then backpedaled

Republicans rarely endorse the progressive idea that Medicare ought to negotiate drug prices. Two who did — Reps. Dan Crenshaw of Texas and Pete Stauber of Minnesota — already seemed to have backtracked from the issue, which was a part of their recent campaign platforms. But the backlash — from voters for backpedaling from their campaign promises or from fellow lawmakers for crossing party lines — could be substantial. Voters and donors could get the impression that these congressmen succumbed to influence from drug makers. On the other hand, only two other Republican members of Congress have held firm in their support for Medicare price negotiation. “It was remarkable that so many Republicans had campaigned on Medicare negotiation in the first place," writes STAT’s Lev Facher, but where does this leave things? Read more here.