OPINION:
President-elect Donald Trump is not your typical politician — and that’s why millions of Americans rallied behind him to reelect him. Mr. Trump’s unique blend of pragmatism, boldness and unorthodox solutions has consistently delivered results where others have failed. Whether negotiating trade deals or rethinking health care policies, Mr. Trump has proved he knows how to fight for the American people and win.
In his first term, Mr. Trump prioritized people over politics, preserving Medicare and Medicaid while creating a robust private health insurance marketplace. His decision to allow the importation of lifesaving drugs from Canada and take executive action to slash drug prices demonstrated his commitment to ensuring Americans get the health care they deserve at prices they can afford.
Now, Mr. Trump has another historic opportunity to make a difference. As the incoming administration looks ahead, protecting and expanding Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices could be one of his most consequential legacies.
The provision in the Inflation Reduction Act allowing Medicare to negotiate prices on certain drugs can be built upon to deliver even more savings for hardworking Americans. By pushing for tougher agreements with pharmaceutical companies during the next round of negotiations, Mr. Trump’s incoming administration could secure deeper price reductions, further drive down taxpayer spending and hold drugmakers accountable for fair pricing.
As a successful businessman, he knows the numbers don’t lie. The U.S. government has already negotiated with the pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of 10 of the most expensive drugs. When those prices take effect in 2026, they will save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs for older Americans and $6 billion for the federal government in the first year alone.
Shortly after Mr. Trump takes office, the U.S. government will announce 15 new drugs it will negotiate with pharmaceutical companies. This is a huge opportunity for Mr. Trump to get even better deals than President Biden and the Democrats. Mr. Trump’s track record shows he can deliver on bold promises.
Pharmaceutical companies, driven by record profits, have spent decades exploiting Americans. Their lobbying efforts to undo Medicare’s negotiating power would lead to higher costs for patients and taxpayers while undermining the progress already made to take on Big Pharma’s greed. Thankfully, Mr. Trump isn’t one to back down from a fight.
By doubling down on Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices, Mr. Trump can outmaneuver the pharmaceutical companies and save Americans billions more. If Mr. Trump prioritizes American citizens’ health and financial well-being over corporate greed, he will truly be putting America first.
Who better to go head-to-head with pharmaceutical giants than the president who wrote the playbook on tough negotiations? Mr. Trump’s ability to secure better deals for America is precisely why voters elected him. With his leadership, expanding Medicare’s drug pricing reforms could revolutionize health care, making medications affordable for millions while reducing government waste.
Just as Americans supported reelecting Mr. Trump, they also support Medicare price negotiations — 85% of Americans, to be exact. Preserving the current law is a fiscally responsible choice that delivers on Mr. Trump’s campaign promises to lower costs and relieve taxpayers.
Americans need relief from sky-high prices, and we trust Mr. Trump to deliver it. Now is the time for Mr. Trump to seize this opportunity, cement his legacy, and secure the deal of a lifetime for the American people. With Mr. Trump at the helm, affordable health care isn’t just a possibility — it’s a promise.
• Rick Jones is a former Michigan state senator.
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