More Medicare Drug Negotiations, Nursing Home Loneliness

Key takeaways

• Lower your medication costs as Medicare negotiates prices for 15 high-cost, life-
• changing drugs.
• Benefit from the inclusion of treatments like Botox under Medicare Part B for chronic
• conditions.
• Support stronger connections in nursing homes with new legislation ensuring essential caregiver access.

Summary

Medicare drug price negotiations are expanding as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services targets another 15 high-cost medications, including treatments for arthritis, cancer, diabetes and HIV. The addition of drugs like Botox under Medicare Part B aims to make these life-changing therapies more affordable for millions of beneficiaries, with lower prices expected to take effect in January 2028. This ongoing effort is designed to ease the financial burden for older adults managing chronic conditions.

In other Medicare news, AARP is supporting new legislation to combat loneliness in nursing homes — a growing concern since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Essential Caregivers Act would ensure family members and designated caregivers have better access to visits during public health emergencies, helping reduce emotional and cognitive decline for residents.

Together, these changes reflect a renewed commitment to improving both the cost and quality of care for older Americans.

The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Full Transcript:

[00:00:03] Medicare is targeting 15 more high-cost drugs for the third round of price

negotiations to make the medications more affordable.

[00:00:12] The list includes treatments for arthritis, cancer, diabetes and HIV.

[00:00:18] The drug Botox also makes the list to treat conditions such as chronic migraines

covered under Medicare Part B.

[00:00:25] Beneficiaries should expect lower prices to take effect January,2028. Fewer older

adults are getting flu and pneumonia vaccines.

[00:00:36] A new CDC report shows flu shots for adults 65-plus have dropped from

[00:00:42] 71% in 2019 to 67% 5 years later.

[00:00:48] Pneumonia vaccine rates have also declined. Experts say vaccine misinformation

and pandemic fatigue are driving the lower

[00:00:56] rates even as flu activity remains high. Adults 65 and older account for about

85% of flu-related deaths.

[00:01:07] AARP is backing legislation to reduce nursing home loneliness during public

health emergencies. The Essential Caregivers Act would

[00:01:16] give designated caregivers more access to nursing home visits during pandemics

and disasters.

[00:01:22] A response to measures during COVID-19's peak. Family members and

advocates reported prolonged lockdowns created rapid emotional and

[00:01:31] cognitive decline for older adults. The act was first introduced to Congress in

2021.