The drug cost bill that passed in the U.S. House Thursday could lead to big changes in the original Medicare program.
House members passed H.R. 3, the “Elijan E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act” bill, by a 230-192 vote.
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Only two Republicans crossed party lines to vote for the bill, and no Democrats passed party lines in the Senate.
Many patient groups, including AARP, are supporting the bill, but some, including the Men’s Health Network, contend that provisions meant to hold down drug costs would discourage pharmaceutical companies from developing new drugs to fight terrible diseases.