In this episode of Healthcare Matters, our hosts unpack the evolving conversation around drug pricing reform—focusing on a new proposal often referred to as “TrumpRx.” Drawing from Robert’s recent co-authored article The Promise of TrumpRx, they explore how direct-to-consumer purchasing, pricing transparency, and reforming the rebate-driven PBM system could reshape what patients actually pay at the pharmacy counter.

Robert breaks down how PBMs influence list prices, why rebate contracting misaligns incentives, and how deductibles and co-insurance calculations leave many patients, especially those with chronic illnesses, paying more than they should. The conversation also outlines four key policy changes that would be necessary for any TrumpRx-style model to meaningfully benefit patients, including allowing cash prices to count toward deductibles and extending transparency to both employers and consumers.

The conversation explores how upcoming policy shifts, including changes tied to the IRA, may influence drug affordability and how clearer pricing information could help patients make more informed decisions about their care.

You can read Robert’s full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/promise-trumprx-robert-popovian-vskne/

To watch all the interviews we captured at ACR, visit: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf0iG26PiXMtANSCb4wklzYdqPueqUNdx&si=5TK2MbGJNcyGv9GC 

You can find all Informed Immunity episodes here: https://ghlf.org/informed-immunity/

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

In this episode of Healthcare Matters, our hosts unpack the evolving conversation around drug pricing reform&mdash;focusing on a new proposal often referred to as &ldquo;TrumpRx.&rdquo; Drawing from Robert&rsquo;s recent co-authored article <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/promise-trumprx-robert-popovian-vskne/">The Promise of TrumpRx</a>, they explore how direct-to-consumer purchasing, pricing transparency, and reforming the rebate-driven PBM system could reshape what patients actually pay at the pharmacy counter.
Robert breaks down how PBMs influence list prices, why rebate contracting misaligns incentives, and how deductibles and co-insurance calculations leave many patients, especially those with chronic illnesses, paying more than they should. The conversation also outlines four key policy changes that would be necessary for any TrumpRx-style model to meaningfully benefit patients, including allowing cash prices to count toward deductibles and extending transparency to both employers and consumers.
The conversation explores how upcoming policy shifts, including changes tied to the IRA, may influence drug affordability and how clearer pricing information could help patients make more informed decisions about their care.
You can read Robert&rsquo;s full article here: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/promise-trumprx-robert-popovian-vskne/?trackingId=zZkz7HnHlWZTXcb4iwrdyg%3D%3D">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/promise-trumprx-robert-popovian-vskne/</a>
To watch all the interviews we captured at ACR, visit: <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf0iG26PiXMtANSCb4wklzYdqPueqUNdx&amp;si=5TK2MbGJNcyGv9GC">https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf0iG26PiXMtANSCb4wklzYdqPueqUNdx&amp;si=5TK2MbGJNcyGv9GC</a>&nbsp;
You can find all Informed Immunity episodes here: <a href="https://ghlf.org/informed-immunity/">https://ghlf.org/informed-immunity/</a>
Contact Our Hosts
Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: <a href="mailto:rpopovian@ghlf.org">rpopovian@ghlf.org</a>
Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: <a href="mailto:bblanc@ghlf.org">bblanc@ghlf.org</a>
A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a>
Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 

Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 

The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 

www.ghlf.org

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 
Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 
The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 
www.ghlf.org

Healthcare Matters

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.

The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF and Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.
The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF and Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

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