The Trump Administration is about to announce changes to drug prices. All 50 states will get access to most-favored-nation pricing for certain drugs through Medicaid. Semafor broke the story Friday.
The president plans to make it official at the White House. He’ll stand with the governors of South Dakota, Mississippi, and Arkansas. The timing is not an accident. The midterms are in November, and prescription costs are on people’s minds.
The numbers, if they hold up, are real numbers. The White House Council of Economic Advisers puts state savings at $27.6 billion over ten years. Federal savings: $36.6 billion. That’s according to Semafor. The idea is simple enough to say in one sentence: pay what other countries pay, not more.
A White House official put it plainly: “This is a clear cut example of how you can save money in the Medicaid program in a way that strengthens the program as a whole. By getting lower drug prices, more people will have access.”
Reuters says the administration is preparing the announcement, but it hasn’t confirmed Semafor’s numbers independently. The White House and HHS did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
This story is developing…
The White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates the effort will result in $27.6 billion in net savings for state governments and $36.6 billion in federal savings over 10 years.
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— Semafor (@semafor) September 18, 2026
