Drug pricing and PBMs pressed at hearing; nominee backs transparency and negotiations but gives few commitments

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), prescription drug pricing and Medicare negotiation authority were central policy topics at the Senate Finance Committee hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Sen. Chuck Grassley and others asked Kennedy to back PBM accountability measures and drug–price transparency, including proposals to require price disclosures in direct‑to‑consumer advertising. Kennedy said he supports holding PBMs accountable and described drug price negotiation as a priority, saying "we should end that disparity" of higher U.S. drug prices compared with other countries.

Why it matters: Drug prices are a major contributor to health costs for patients and federal programs. The Inflation Reduction Act’s drug‑price negotiation provisions and PBM oversight bills are active policy areas; the HHS secretary’s stance matters for administration implementation and for regulatory options.

Key exchanges

- PBM reform: Sen. Chuck Grassley and others pressed Kennedy to support PBM reform; Kennedy said President Trump is committed to fixing PBMs and that transparency measures are necessary.

- Medicare drug negotiation: Sen. Maggie Hassan and others asked whether Kennedy would support continuation of drug‑price negotiation authority in theory and practice. Kennedy said that, in principle, “we should end that disparity” and that he supports efforts to lower prices, adding that he had reviewed summaries of an executive order about negotiation.

- Conflicts of interest: Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked Kennedy to commit not to accept compensation from drug companies or from lawsuits against drug companies while in office and for four years thereafter. Kennedy agreed not to take compensation from drug companies while serving but declined to agree not to pursue lawsuits after leaving office.

Quotes

- Sen. Chuck Grassley: “I expect you to work with us to hold PBMs accountable.”

- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: “In principle, we can. We should we should end that disparity [in drug prices].”

What remains unresolved

Kennedy voiced support for lower drug prices and PBM reform but did not commit to specific statutory language or to a pledge about post‑employment litigation income beyond saying he would comply with ethics rules while serving. Several senators requested written follow‑up and documentation of how he would implement reforms administratively.

Ending

Senators from both parties identified PBMs and drug pricing as priorities that could produce bipartisan legislation; the nominee pledged to cooperate on transparency and negotiation but left substantial implementation details for further consultation with Congress.