Washington, DC — Today, the Senate Finance Committee introduced a package that aims to address the cost of prescription drugs, yet does not include negotiating power for Medicare. Protect Our Care chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement in response:
“The Senate Finance Committee’s package to address the rising cost of prescription drugs fails to include the one policy that would have the biggest impact: requiring Medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drugs for all consumers – a policy favored by nearly nine in ten Americans and 86 percent of Iowans in Chairman Grassley’s own backyard.”
BACKGROUND:
PPP Poll: In advance of the Senate Finance Committee considering legislation on prescription drugs, a new Public Policy Polling survey in Iowa—home state of Chairman Chuck Grassley— finds that an overwhelming majority (86%) of Iowa voters support legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies to get lower prices for prescription drugs for consumers, with only 5% in opposition.
- This includes 83% of Iowa Republicans and 81% of Iowans who voted for President Trump in 2016, with only 9% and 8% respectively opposing such legislation.
- A further 75% of Iowans disagree with Senator Grassley’s opposition to this legislation, with only 11% of Iowa voters agreeing with him. A majority of Republicans (62-16) and President Trump’s 2016 supporters (62-17) also disagree with Senator Grassley’s opposition to Medicare drug negotiations.