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The leaders of the Senate Finance Committee are in bipartisan talks on a potentially sweeping deal to limit drug price increases in Medicare, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.), the top Democrat on the panel, is pushing to make drug companies pay back rebates to Medicare’s prescription drug program, called Part D, if their prices rise faster than inflation. Another measure would force drug companies to pay money back to Medicare if they launch a new drug with a high price. (Sullivan, 6/26)

Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) put forward their ideas for improving Medicare Part D during an event on Tuesday at a time when seniors are facing rising out-of-pocket costs and fewer options for affordable medications. “My fix is that you have to look at the whole thing, and this is a shared responsibility," Matsui told moderator Steve Clemons at The Hill's "Cost, Quality and Care: The Medicare Equation" event, sponsored by Astellas Pharma US. (Manchester, 6/25)

A bipartisan Senate bill designed to lower health care costs is expected to advance out of committee with broad support Wednesday, though lawmakers plan to debate amendments to address the generic drug industry's concerns. The nearly 250-page Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee bill addresses a wide range of issues, including emergency room charges and prescription drug prices. The manager’s amendment of the bill, released Monday, also includes language to increase the national tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21 years old. (Siddons, 6/25)