Experts Weigh In on Future of IRA Policy Under Trump Administration | Asembia's AXS25 Summit

As the Trump administration begins to lay out its approach to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), industry leaders are closely watching for signs of what changes may come.

With a wave of executive orders already issued, discussions are taking place about how key provisions, particularly those related to drug pricing and innovation, might be modified or replaced.

However, the outlook remains uncertain so far.

At this year’s Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit in Las Vegas, Managed Healthcare Executive spoke with John Beardsley, senior vice president of corporate business development at CoverMyMeds, and Fauzea Husain, vice president of public policy at McKesson, about what lies ahead.

Beardsley cautioned against drawing firm conclusions too early, given the administration’s fast-moving and often unpredictable policy approach.

“We are studying what’s coming out every week,” he said. “It’s really, really hard to just speculate.”

One possibility, he noted, is a return to proposals floated during the previous Trump administration, such as using international benchmarks to set drug prices.

But no set direction has been announced, he said.

Husain echoed the sense of uncertainty, adding that public policy in this environment requires constant interpretation.

She included areas of focus such as a transparency report and potential demonstrations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) as avenues the administration might pursue.

“Reading between the headlines is always like the art of public policy,” she said.

Despite the lack of clarity, Husain said the administration’s priorities are becoming clearer: increasing transparency, protecting innovation and driving savings.

However, she emphasized that statutory limits in the IRA itself could shape how far these goals can be pursued.

With much in flux, Beardsley and Husain agreed that healthcare stakeholders must be ready.

As new policy details emerge, adapting quickly can be key to managing risk and maintaining focus on patients.