Higher, Further, Faster...Cheaper Meds? Trump's Drug Price Plan Takes Off!

Not Today Thanos...I Mean Big Pharma!

Alright Avengers assemble...for affordable healthcare! Turns out even the Supreme Commander of the Kree empire deals with earthly problems like ridiculously high drug prices. So President Trump is dusting off this 'most favored nation' policy. No it's not a cosmic citizenship program but it aims to tie U.S. drug prices to the lower ones in other developed countries. I'm all for equalizing things especially if it means more people can afford the meds they need. As I always say "Higher further faster!" ... and cheaper apparently.

The Fine Print: More Confusing Than Quantum Physics

Now details are fuzzy. White House officials are playing coy about which medications will be affected but they are saying it will include Medicare and Medicaid. Supposedly they are targeting drugs with the "largest disparities and largest expenditures," whatever that means. All I know is someone needs to explain this to me like I'm talking to Goose. (Don't worry he’s smarter than he looks...and has claws!) It's like trying to understand the Skrull's invasion plan without Nick Fury – a headache waiting to happen.

59% PLUS! Is This a Black Friday Sale or Healthcare?

Hold up Trump is claiming drug prices could drop by "59% PLUS!"...or maybe even 90%? That sounds like a sales pitch Thanos would use to sell gauntlets! Skepticism is my superpower (besides you know photon blasts). But hey even a small drop would be better than the gouging we see now. As my pal Maria Rambeau would say "If it's too good to be true it probably is.” Still hope floats higher than I do when I'm hitting warp speed.

Big Pharma vs. The World: A Galactic Negotiation

Part of Trump's plan involves cracking down on countries that negotiate lower drug prices. Apparently the U.S. has been "subsidizing the healthcare of foreign countries." Earth economics am I right? It's all about leveraging power. Other countries do it why can't we? I can see both sides but I'm mostly on the side of people needing medication. After all protecting the innocent and ensuring their well being is the prime directive.

Cutting Out the Middlemen: Like Slicing Through a Kree Sentry

Trump also wants patients to buy drugs directly from manufacturers cutting out the middlemen. Sounds like a good way to streamline things... unless those middlemen have some super secret Skrull tech hidden away. Gotta be careful out there! He's giving the HHS secretary 30 days to set price reduction targets and says they'll start 'negotiations' with Big Pharma. More like a staring contest if you ask me. If progress isn't made the 'most favored nation' pricing will be imposed which will not go over well I'm sure.

The Verdict: A Hopeful Skeptic's Take

Look I'm no economist. My expertise lies in intergalactic peacekeeping and blowing up Kree warships. But this drug pricing policy has the *potential* to help people. The pharmaceutical industry isn't thrilled but honestly when are they ever? The Rand Corp. says U.S. prescription prices are two to three times higher than other developed nations. Something has to give. As Captain Marvel I’m about protecting the universe. As Carol Danvers I'm about making sure people can afford the basics. This plan could be a step in the right direction...or a major faceplant. Only time (and maybe a few photon blasts) will tell.