Executive Order 13948-Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First
Issued 2020-09-13 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
Executive Order 13948, titled "Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First," was issued by President Donald J. Trump in September 2020. This executive action establishes a policy that the Medicare program should not pay more for certain costly prescription drugs and biological products than what is called the "most-favored-nation price." This price is defined as the lowest price a drug manufacturer sells a product in a comparable developed country, after adjusting for factors like volume and national gross domestic product. The order directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to take
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13948 addresses "Executive Order 13948-Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First". Executive orders are a long-established exercise of presidential power, used by every President since George Washington. They are grounded in Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive power in the President and directs them to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."
Executive orders cannot create new law, contradict existing federal statutes, or exceed the President's constitutional authority. The legitimacy of any specific order depends on whether it operates within statutory authority Congress has delegated, directs the executive branch on matters within its constitutional purview, or attempts to substitute executive policy for legislative choices. Courts can and do review executive orders for conformity with the Constitution and federal law.
Official Summary
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