Senate Democrats’ Agreement Includes Giving Medicare the Power to Negotiate Drug Prices
Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, The Washington Post reported that Senate Democrats have finalized provisions to lower prescription drug prices. The agreement includes giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, capping seniors out-of-pocket drug costs, and penalizing drug companies that raise prices faster than inflation. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:
“The agreement reached by Senate Democrats to drive down prescription drug prices is a victory for the American people. Allowing Medicare to negotiate, limiting onerous price hikes, and capping seniors’ drug costs are vital to fixing the broken system that all too often forces patients to choose between paying the bills and affording the drugs they need. While Republicans stand by Big Pharma and fight to maintain the status quo, Democrats are focused on delivering real relief to patients and reducing their health care costs. The drug pricing deal is a promising first step as the Senate continues to negotiate the rest of the budget reconciliation package, and we continue to advocate strongly for additional health care reforms to deliver lower costs and expanded coverage for families.”