On January 6th, CMS issued a proposed rule that would result in foundational changes to Medicare Part D and negatively impact America’s seniors, and other constituencies. Most disturbingly (if not surprisingly) it reveals the Administration’s authentic view of Part D by attempting an unprecedented level of government interference with what was intended to be a competitive, market-based proposition. Specifically, the proposed rule:
· Interprets the statutory non-interference provision for the first time since the MMA passed in 2003.
· Imposes new, non-statutory restrictions on sponsor contracts and plan bids, limiting sponsors to no more than two plans per region.
· Intervenes in private market contracting between Part D plans and network pharmacies.
· Further encourages the displacement of employer-provided coverage that the MMA intended to preserve.
· Introduces enormous uncertainty into the market for plan sponsors as they prepare for the 2015 bid cycle.
· Places new restrictions on access to medicines in classes of clinical concern, including mental health drugs and drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection.
Why this rule and why now? One explanation is that it shows the continuing cognitive dissonance of the administration (and career CMS staff) that anything driven by the free-market could possibly work –- and that seniors are not capable of making their own healthcare choices. And it doesn’t matter that both of these almost religious beliefs fly in the face of all facts and figures to the contrary.
This rule is designed to solve a problem that doesn’t exist – but which its authors believe should exist. The proposed rule creates a Bizarro Part D wherein the role of free-market forces and the imperative of citizen choice are replaced by the heavy hand of the infallible Uncle Sam, MD.
Think about it: This proposed rule would limit competitive bidding, limit patient choice, and stifle innovation in plan design. In short, it would gut the philosophical framework of Part D –- a framework that has consistently resulting in government spending coming in under budget with 90%+ user satisfaction.
All this and the proposed rule also revises long-standing prior agency policy on the “six protected classes” policy. Specifically targeted are medications for mental illness. The proposed rule revises long-standing prior agency policy that required Part D plans to include on their formularies “all or substantially all” drugs within six classes: anti-depressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antineoplastics, and immunosuppressants. This policy has been in effect since the inception of Part D, and has strong congressional support.
Why? Why fix something that isn’t broken? Maybe it’s all a “fix” of a different kind. Maybe this proposed rule is designed to ruin Part D so the argument can be made for direct government interference and, ultimately, a move to a single payer system.Remember, you’re not paranoid if they’re really out to get you.
