The National Health Council (NHC) has been actively involved in the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP) since its inception, particularly focused on building patient engagement opportunities to ensure the patient’s perspective in negotiations. The NHC supports member education and engagement each cycle and provides feedback to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
MDPNP Resources
NEW REPORT! Amplifying the Patient Voice: Reflections and Recommendations from the Third Cycle of CMS Patient Engagement
In early 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held a series of public engagement opportunities under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP). These opportunities included patient-focused roundtables, town hall sessions for clinicians and researchers, and a written request for public input through an Information Collection Request (ICR). The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) established the MDPNP, which authorizes CMS to negotiate with manufacturers on the process of selected drugs covered under Medicare Part B or Part D. For this third cycle, 15 drugs were selected for negotiation, and CMS held 16 patient roundtables, one for each selected drug and one for a drug from a previous cycle selected for renegotiation. This cycle corresponds to initial price applicability year (IPAY) 2028, when the negotiated and renegotiated prices will take effect.
Read the report here.
IPAY 2028: Supporting Effective Engagement in the Medicare Drug Negotiation Program (MDNP)
Amplifying the Patient Voice: Reflections and Recommendations from the Second Cycle of CMS Patient Engagement
The National Health Council (NHC) held a roundtable discussion on June 30, 2025, with members of the patient advocacy community to reflect on and enhance opportunities for patient input at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The discussion specifically focused on CMS’ patient engagement activities during the second cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP), undertaken in April 2025. Established by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), MDPNP allows for negotiation between the government and manufacturers on the pricing of CMS-selected drugs for Medicare Part B and D. The number of drugs selected for negotiation increases annually; in this second cycle, 15 drugs were selected, up from 10 in 2024.
Read the report here.
