NBC News: “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday that Democrats had reached an agreement on lowering prescription drug costs, particularly for seniors, one of the party’s key disputes in the $1.75 trillion safety net bill. ‘I’m pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached to lower prescription drug prices for seniors and families in the Build Back Better legislation,’ Schumer said after a Dem caucus meeting. ‘Fixing prescription drug pricing has consistently been a top issue for Americans, year after year, including the vast majority of both Democrats and Republicans.'”
“Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., a key holdout, endorsed the agreement. She ‘welcomes a new agreement on a historic, transformative Medicare drug negotiation plan,’ spokesman John LaBombard said, saying it will ‘reduce out-of-pocket costs for seniors – ensuring drug prices cannot rise faster than inflation — save taxpayer dollars, and protect innovation.’ Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called it ‘a really good deal for patients.” “It cuts drug costs, ends price gouging, and finally, finally allows Medicare to negotiate directly with the drug industry,’ he said. Schumer said he hoped to begin debate on the bill, a crucial piece of President Joe Biden’s agenda, on Nov. 15.”