Episode 15 - SLE: Expectations As the Drug Market Evolves

The Orphan Drug Act in the Modern Drug Pricing Era

Finance Committee leaders propose expanding Medicare negotiation, curbing middlemen, and reinvesting in biomedical innovation as part of a 2026 health care affordability strategy.

New Regulations on PBMs Become Law: What This Means for Pharmacies Nationwide—A Q&A With Jesse Dresser, Esq

Policy strategist Kristi Martin discusses how the Orphan Drug Act reshapes rare disease treatment and drug-pricing challenges.

Listen

Transparency in Coverage Data to Expose Ghost Rates and Hold Payers Accountable: David Muhlestein, PhD

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 features new language that could change the way that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) operate in the US.

January 20th 2026

Increased Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries

David Muhlestein, PhD, breaks down ghost rates, data gaps, and why stronger oversight is needed to make Transparency in Coverage files usable for patients.

Listen

PBM Reforms Signed Into Law, Reshaping Medicare Part D Drug Pricing Transparency

Increasing Medicare Advantage payments for full Medicaid enrollees was not associated with meaningful changes in inpatient or nursing home use.

Congress advances sweeping PBM transparency reforms tied to Medicare Part D as part of a broader spending package. | Image Credit: PBMs_MQ-Illustrations.jpeg

Senate Democrats Outline Drug Pricing Agenda to Cut Patient Costs

A spending bill advancing PBM reforms aims to delink Medicare Part D compensation from drug rebates and improve pricing transparency.

Related Content

The Orphan Drug Act in the Modern Drug Pricing Era

Finance Committee leaders propose expanding Medicare negotiation, curbing middlemen, and reinvesting in biomedical innovation as part of a 2026 health care affordability strategy.

New Regulations on PBMs Become Law: What This Means for Pharmacies Nationwide—A Q&A With Jesse Dresser, Esq

Policy strategist Kristi Martin discusses how the Orphan Drug Act reshapes rare disease treatment and drug-pricing challenges.

Listen

Transparency in Coverage Data to Expose Ghost Rates and Hold Payers Accountable: David Muhlestein, PhD

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 features new language that could change the way that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) operate in the US.

January 20th 2026

Increased Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries

David Muhlestein, PhD, breaks down ghost rates, data gaps, and why stronger oversight is needed to make Transparency in Coverage files usable for patients.

Listen

PBM Reforms Signed Into Law, Reshaping Medicare Part D Drug Pricing Transparency

Increasing Medicare Advantage payments for full Medicaid enrollees was not associated with meaningful changes in inpatient or nursing home use.