Heinrich Statement on Announcement of the First Prescription Drugs Subject to Medicare Negotiations, Lowering Prices for New Mexicans

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after the Biden administration announced the first 10 prescription drugs that will be subject to Medicare price negotiations beginning in 2026. This action was made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation Heinrich helped to negotiate and pass into law.  

“New Mexicans should never have to choose between filling their prescriptions and paying for other expenses like rent, food, or transportation. That's a major reason why I fought so hard to get the Inflation Reduction Act across the finish line,” said Heinrich. “I am proud to see this landmark legislation do exactly what we intended — deliver real results for New Mexicans by lowering the cost of life-saving medications and putting money back in Americans’ pockets. The best part: This is just the beginning.”   

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare will be able to negotiate drug prices on behalf of patients for the ten following drugs: 

1. Eliquis, which prevents and treats blood clots and was taken by 3,505,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year; 
2. Jardiance, which treats diabetes and heart failure and was taken by 1,321,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year;  
3. Xarelto, which prevents and treats blood clots and reduces risks for patients with coronary or peripheral artery disease and was taken by 1,311,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year. 
4. Januvia, which treats diabetes and was taken by 885,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year;  
5. Farxiga, which treats diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, and was taken by 639,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year;  
6. Entresto, which treats heart failure and was taken by 521,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year;  
7. Enbrel, which treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, and was taken by 47,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year;  
8. Imbruvica, which treats blood cancers and was taken by 22,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year; 
9. Stelara, which treats psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis, and was taken by 20,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year; 
10. And Fiasp, Fiasp FlexTouch, Fiasp PenFill, Novolog, Novolog Flexpen, and Novolog Penfill which treat diabetes and were taken by 763,000 Medicare Part D enrollees last year. 

According to data provided by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in 2022, an estimated 46,000 New Mexicans spent roughly $15.5 million out of pocket on the prescription drugs selected for negotiation and will see major savings beginning in 2026. The selected drugs account for about 20% of total Part D annual spending on prescription drug, which was evaluated between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, the time period used to determine which drugs were eligible for negotiation.

Heinrich continues to lead efforts to lower costs for New Mexico’s families and seniors. 

In April, Heinrich joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in introducing the Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, which would give the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) enhanced authority to negotiate for Medicare Part D. 

The Inflation Reduction Act additionally includes a new rebate program that mirrors Heinrich’s Zero-Emission Homes Act to help families with the upfront costs of installing clean and efficient electric home appliances. Heinrich welcomed federal guidance on the U.S. Department of Energy’s implementation of this program in July.  

Find a state-by-state breakdown of the number of Medicare enrollees who use the prescription drugs selected for negotiation and their out-of-pocket costs here. Find more information about provisions Heinrich secured in the Inflation Reduction Act here.