Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said Wednesday he would back President Trump's push for a "most-favored nation" drug pricing policy, a move that could unlock bipartisan support for the plan. The Vermont Democrat made the remarks at the Axios Future of Health summit, adding he would "not only vote for it, I would work actively and aggressively to make it happen." The proposal is designed to align what Americans pay for drugs with prices in other developed nations.
Welch noted that the Trump administration has not yet introduced legislation, and he urged the president to "do it, not just talk about it." Bipartisan backing is seen as critical for codifying the policy into law, at a time when a majority of Americans worry about affording prescription medications. The plan's success could hinge on turning political support into concrete legislative action.
Trump has already struck most-favored nation deals with at least 16 pharmaceutical companies, but the terms remain confidential. This lack of transparency has drawn skepticism from some Democrats, who allege the arrangements may benefit drugmakers more than patients. The deals are meant to lower costs, but without public details, their true impact is unclear.
Separately, Welch is already collaborating with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) on a bipartisan bill that would prohibit drugmakers from charging US consumers more than they do in other countries. This parallel effort suggests Congress may pursue multiple paths to address high drug prices. Any final legislation would need to reconcile these approaches with Trump's executive actions.
If enacted, the policy could reshape the $500 billion US prescription drug market, though timing remains uncertain. Critics argue that forced price reductions might stifle innovation, while supporters see it as long-overdue relief for patients.