Amid heightened public concern, the cost of prescription drugs is a focus of attention by the Biden administration and lawmakers in Congress and state capitals. Proposed actions range from allowing Medicare to negotiate the prices of certain drugs to limiting some drug price increases to inflation and capping out of pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries in Part D, among other initiatives. See KFF’s research, analysis and public opinion data, as well as Kaiser Health News’ journalism, related to prescription drugs and their costs.
Featured Prescription Drugs Resources
Out-of-pocket spending on insulin among people with private insurance
This analysis of insurance claims data finds that Congressional proposals to set a $35 per month cap on what people pay out of pocket for insulin would provide financial relief to at least 1 out of 5 insulin users with different types of private health insurance.
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Related Prescription Drugs Resources
- Public Opinion on Prescription Drugs and Their Prices
- Insulin Costs and Coverage in Medicare Part D
- Prices Increased Faster Than Inflation for Half of all Drugs Covered by Medicare in 2020
- Dec. 8 Event: Unpacking the Prescription Drug Provisions of the Build Back Better Act
- The Public Weighs In On Medicare Drug Negotiations
- Potential Savings for Medicare Part D Enrollees Under Proposals to Add a Hard Cap on Out-of-Pocket Spending
- Medicare Part B Drugs: Cost Implications for Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- 10 FAQs on Prescription Drug Importation
- Medicaid Outpatient Prescription Drug Trends During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Prescription Drug Rebates, Explained
- Who is most likely to have high prescription drug costs?
- Latest News on Prescription Drugs from Kaiser Health News
How Do Prescription Drug Costs in the United States Compare to Other Countries?
This chart collection examines what we know about prescription drug spending and use in the U.S. and comparably large and wealthy countries, using data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
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The Current State of Retiree Health Benefits: Findings from the Kaiser/Hewitt 2002 Retiree Health Survey
This report presents findings from a study of large private-sector employers conducted by researchers at Hewitt Associates and the Kaiser Family Foundation between July and September of 2002. The study is based on survey responses of 435 large private-sector firms (1,000+ employees) that currently offer retiree health benefits, and includes…
Report Read More Health News Index – May/June 2001
Health News Index May/June, 2001 The May/June 2001 edition of the Health News Index includes questions about major health stories covered in the news, including the Supreme Court ruling regarding the distribution of medical marijuana and the debate in Congress over a Patients Bill of Rights. This edition also includes…
Poll Finding Read More Toplines: Seniors’ Early Experiences with the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Toplines: Seniors’ Early Experiences with the Medicare Prescription Drug BenefitThese toplines contain the detailed results from the April 2006 tracking poll on seniors’ early experiences with the new Medicare drug benefit.Toplines (.pdf)
Poll Finding Read More Overview of Medicare Part D Organizations, Plans and Benefits By Enrollment in 2006 and 2007
This chartpack provides detailed information about Medicare beneficiaries’ enrollment in the many private drug plans available to them in 2007. The charts demonstrate that a relatively small number of companies which captured the most enrollees in 2006, the new benefit’s first year, continued to lead in market share in the…
Report Read More Medicare Part D 2009 Data Spotlight: Specialty Tiers
Most Medicare Part D prescription drug plans use tiers with different cost-sharing amounts for generic, preferred, and non-preferred drugs, and also include an additional “specialty” tier for very high cost and unique drugs. This 2009 Part D Data Spotlight examines use of the specialty tier, including the numbers and kinds…
Issue Brief Read More Explaining Health Reform: Medicare and the New Independent Payment Advisory Board
This brief describes how the new board created under the 2010 health reform law is expected to limit the growth in Medicare spending over time. Starting in 2014, if projected per capita Medicare spending exceeds targets set in the law, the board must recommend ways to reduce Medicare spending, while…
Issue Brief Read More Understanding the Health-Care Needs and Experiences of People with Disabilities: Findings from a 2003 Survey
Understanding the Health-Care Needs and Experiences of People with Disabilities: Findings from a 2003 SurveyPeople with disabilities are at risk in the health-care system because of their wide-ranging health-care needs, their relatively heavy use of prescription drugs, health-care and support services, and typically low incomes. A new survey of people…
Report Read More The Role of Health Coverage for People with Disabilities
People with disabilities are at risk in the health-care system because of their wide-ranging health-care needs, their relatively heavy use of prescription drugs, health-care and support services, and typically low incomes. A new survey of people with permanent mental and/or physical disabilities explores their health-care experiences and challenges in accessing…
Event Read More Views of the New Medicare Drug Law: A Survey of People On Medicare
A national Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health survey of people on Medicare finds nearly twice as many people on Medicare have an unfavorable view of the law as have a favorable view. Conducted from June 16 to July 21, 2004, the survey of 1,223 people on Medicare finds…
Poll Finding Read More Views of the New Medicare Drug Law – Summary & Chartpack
This comprehensive survey of people on Medicare assesses their attitudes toward the new Medicare drug law. The survey provides detailed insight in their perceptions and opinions about the law, the Medicare-approved drug-discount card program and the new Medicare drug benefit set to begin in January 2006. It also assesses views…
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