The White House announced on Sept. 18 that 26 of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies will provide the lowest drug prices found in any other nation to all U.S. state Medicaid programs. These most-favored-nation agreements cover 90% of all prescription drugs, including those for residents in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Council of Economic Advisers estimates the program will save state governments $64 billion and benefit roughly 70 million vulnerable people.

Confidential documents shared with The Washington Post reveal the administration's deals included inducements for drugmakers to raise prices for patients overseas and promises of protection from tariffs. The Vice President claims these policies produced the fastest drop in prescription drug costs in 60 years, while Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves noted the move is a relief for his state's $700 million annual Medicaid drug spend.