By Erik Jones, Editor
In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed a new executive order aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs in the United States. While the changes apply nationally, many in Lorain, Ohio are asking what this could mean for their families, their healthcare providers, and their wallets. The order, titled “Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First,” brings back some policies from Trump’s first term and alters parts of the drug pricing structure put in place under the Biden administration.
One major part of the order focuses on how soon Medicare can start negotiating the price of certain drugs. Before the order, Medicare was allowed to negotiate prices for pills, also known as small molecule drugs, nine years after they hit the market. But now, that window has been pushed to thirteen years. This change makes the timeline the same as for biologic drugs, which are usually injected or infused. Supporters of the change say it will encourage innovation and give drug companies more time to recover research costs. Critics argue it gives large pharmaceutical companies more time to charge higher prices without competition.
For Lorain residents, especially seniors on Medicare, this means a possible delay in when they might see lower prices for common prescription pills. While the impact won’t be immediate, the delay could affect long-term savings for individuals managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
Another major part of the order reinstates a program aimed at helping low-income and uninsured individuals access affordable medications. Through this program, insulin may be available for just three cents per vial, with only a small fee added by health centers. Epinephrine auto-injectors, often used for severe allergic reactions, could be offered for as low as fifteen dollars. These prices would be available through federally qualified health centers, which many Lorain residents already rely on for care.
Local families without insurance or with limited income could benefit from this change. With diabetes rates in Ohio remaining high, affordable access to insulin could provide real relief. However, details about how quickly this program will be implemented and whether all eligible Lorain facilities will participate remain to be seen.
The executive order also includes something called “site-neutral payments.” This policy change means that Medicare would pay the same amount for certain treatments—such as cancer therapies—no matter where they are given. Right now, if you get a treatment at a hospital outpatient department, Medicare pays more than it does for the same treatment in a doctor’s office. By making the payments equal, the government hopes to reduce costs and remove incentives that steer patients toward more expensive sites.
For Lorain residents receiving treatment locally, this could lead to changes in where services are offered or how healthcare providers plan care. Hospitals that rely on higher payments for outpatient services could see budget adjustments, while smaller clinics might see more patients directed their way.
In addition, the executive order directs the Food and Drug Administration to move faster in two key areas: approving generic and biosimilar drugs, and allowing states to import cheaper medications from countries like Canada. Generics and biosimilars often cost less than brand-name drugs. By speeding up approvals, the government hopes to increase competition and drive down prices.
Ohio has previously looked into importing drugs to lower costs, but few programs have launched. This new push may give states, including Ohio, a stronger path forward. If it happens, Lorain residents could see more affordable medication options at local pharmacies, although timelines for these changes remain uncertain.
Not everyone is happy with the executive order. Some lawmakers, including Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, have criticized the delay in Medicare drug negotiations. Wyden said the change could give pharmaceutical companies a $10 billion windfall, meaning large profits while consumers wait longer for price relief. Supporters of the order say the change helps balance affordability and innovation, while opponents see it as a step backward.
For Lorain’s population—which includes many seniors, working-class families, and people managing chronic illness—the impact of this executive order will depend on how quickly the changes are implemented and whether local clinics and pharmacies are prepared to roll out the new pricing programs. Residents hoping for lower costs may see benefits over time, especially from insulin and epinephrine discounts and potentially more generic drug choices.
But for those relying on small molecule drugs and looking to Medicare for help, the wait for lower prices just got longer. As more details emerge from federal agencies and state leaders, Lorain families will be watching to see whether these promises become real savings—or just more delays in a system already stretched thin.