Staff Reports
In the world of politics, there’s a common courtesy that Joe Biden may not actually be calling the shots in his administration, with some suggesting there are rogue agents pulling the strings. But regardless of who’s really in control, it’s crystal clear that American seniors are taking a beating when it comes to getting their essential medications under this administration.
Premiums for Medicare Part D have skyrocketed over 20 percent this year for the 50 million enrolled Americans, and projections show they could climb an additional 50 percent by 2025. The solution? Well, according to the conservative playbook, it’s a simple one – just rewind the clock back to what Donald Trump had put in place.
Back in 2020, Trump rolled out a policy known as the Trump Rebate Rule, which aimed to empower seniors by allowing them to benefit from the rebates drug manufacturers pay out to pharmacy benefit managers. This move was intended to ease the burden on seniors facing hefty medication bills and could have potentially saved them billions of bucks.
Biden cares more for our adversaries, than he does for Americans,
Every move he has made since taking office, proves that! #VoteTrump2024
China Joe’s Priorities: Repeal Trump’s Drug Rebate Rule for America’s Seniors, But Spend Billions on China’s EVshttps://t.co/QcqvuaDJ2b
— NWRain (@RYboating) June 26, 2024
Trump himself hailed the policy as a game-changer, stating it would cut out the middlemen who were squeezing Medicare patients dry with exorbitant prescription prices, ensuring that the discounts went directly to the people who needed them the most. But alas, Biden’s administration tossed this life raft aside when PBMs mounted a legal challenge, halting the rule in its tracks.
Critics argue that this move was less about legal prudence and more about taking a swipe at Trump’s legacy, especially given the subsequent enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which has coincided with some of the worst inflation rates in recent memory. By axing the Trump rebate rule, the Biden team effectively deprived vulnerable seniors of potential savings while diverting Medicare funds towards propping up Chinese electric vehicles.
It’s a harsh reality for seniors who’ve been left holding the bag as inflation eats away at their hard-earned savings, all while the promises of a robust Medicare system seem to fade into the background. And despite Biden’s noble words on combating elder abuse, actions speak louder than rhetoric, and the dismantling of policies like the Trump rebate rule only exacerbate the struggles faced by America’s elderly population.
With the next election looming on the horizon, the fate of seniors’ healthcare hangs in the balance. If Trump were to make a comeback and resurrect his rebate rule, it could spell relief for countless seniors grappling with the burden of rising healthcare costs. As the political saga unfolds, one thing remains certain – when it comes to seniors’ well-being, actions speak louder than empty promises.
