Patient advocates shred Becerra’s copay accumulator comments

Fierce Healthcare April 18, 2024
Noah Tong

Lawmakers pressed Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra over the Biden administration’s stance toward Medicare Advantage, rural health and more during budgetary hearings this week.

Some lawmakers praised the administration’s commitment to key priorities like the Medicare drug price negotiations program. At times, members on both sides of the aisle grew exasperated at Becerra’s unwillingness to directly answer questions.

But an exchange with Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., over copay accumulators more than 90 minutes into Becerra’s third day of testimony drew some of the toughest criticism yet from patient advocacy groups, leaving some to question where his loyalties lie and others wondering if he’s simply uninformed on the issue.

‘I think that the Secretary’s testimony was an...

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