News

The Build Back Better Act Will Drive Down Prescription Drug Costs for Millions of Patients

Washington, DC — Today, President Biden joined U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) in Virginia to stress Democrats’ commitment to lowering health care costs and delivering meaningful relief for families across the nation. During the event, President Biden confirmed that lowering prescription drug costs and other measures to reduce health care costs remain central to the path forward on Build Back Better. 

Build Back Better works to end the status quo by giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, lowering insurance premiums, expanding affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, and more. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“For far too long, high drug prices have been a top concern for Americans from all walks of life. With Build Back Better, President Biden and Democrats are working to rein in Big Pharma’s greed and lower health care costs so millions of families can finally sleep a little easier at night. The bottom line is that giving Medicare the power to negotiate, cracking down on outrageous price increases and capping seniors’ out-of-pocket prescription drug costs will save lives. When the Senate passes Build Back Better, we will have President Biden and Democrats to thank for meeting the demands of voters and bringing real relief to millions of people.” 

Background: 

Rep. Abigail Spanberger: A Champion for Lower Drug Prices

Abigail Spanberger Is Fighting For Lower Drug Prices. Rep. Spanberger says prescription drug prices are the number one thing she hears about from constituents. “There are people who every single day when they wake up, they’re making decisions about how to go about their day, how to live their lives, based on whether they can afford the medication that they need, and how to afford the medication that they need, and that’s an extraordinary reality and its one that really does impact our entire community, whether its visible to everyone or not,” Spanberger said. 

Spenberger: “End The Monopoly. Let Medicare Negotiate Drug Prices.” Spanberger, along with some Democratic colleagues, wrote about their support of the Lower Drug Costs Now Act in a 2021 op-ed in the Washington Post. Spanberger wrote, “Medicare, the U.S. government’s health insurance program for seniors, has long been prohibited by law from negotiating the prices it pays to drugmakers for medications. We know the pharmaceutical industry is using this loophole to set and keep prices high. That’s why giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices must be a priority. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs already enjoys this leverage. Extending that power to Medicare is a step the House took in 2019 with Republican votes — only to see it die in the Senate. We have another chance to pass it now as part of President Biden’s economic agenda.” 

2021: Rep. Spanberger Voted For The Build Back Better Bill, Which Will Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Rep. Spanberger voted for the Build Back Better bill in November 2021. Under this plan, Medicare will be empowered to negotiate prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at a doctor’s office. Beginning in 2025, 10 drugs, in addition to insulin, will be negotiated with that number increasing to 20 drugs in 2028 and into the future. Drug companies who refuse to come to the negotiating table will be subject to an excise tax. Under BBB, all Americans with insurance will see their insulin co-pays capped at $35 each month, and for seniors Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 per year. 

2020: Rep. Spanberger Sponsored Legislation To Increase Drug Price Transparency. Spanberger sponsored legislation to increase transparency around drug prices to create incentives to help keep prices down. Spanberger sponsored the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, which would require the rebates, discounts, and price concessions PBM’s negotiate to be made public on a website through the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

2019: Rep. Spanberger Voted For Historic Legislation To Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Rep. Spanberger voted for the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), historic legislation to drastically reduce Americans’ prescription drug prices by up to 55% and save taxpayers nearly $500 billion over the next 10 years. H.R. 3 included the most comprehensive drug pricing reform in American history and the largest expansion to Medicare’s benefits in decades.

President Biden to Travel to Virginia to Join Rep. Spanberger in the Push to Pass Build Back Better

Washington, DC – Tomorrow, President Biden will join U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) in Virginia to urge Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act, including its critical provisions to lower prescription drug prices for American families. Build Back Better’s drug pricing measures are central to the bill’s broad popularity and will lower costs for millions of Americans. In response, Protect Our Care Deputy Communications Director Maddie Twomey issued the following statement: 

“Representative Spanberger is a tireless advocate for working families and a true health care champion. Virginians are sick and tired of paying three times more for their prescriptions than people in other countries. Build Back Better will put an end to the broken system that allows Big Pharma to call the shots while seniors and families struggle to afford the medications they need to survive. Thanks to leaders like Rep. Spanberger, we are closer than ever to delivering relief where Virginians need it most and lowering drug prices once and for all.” 

Abigail Spanberger Is Fighting For Lower Drug Prices. Rep. Spanberger says prescription drug prices are the number one thing she hears about from constituents. “There are people who every single day when they wake up, they’re making decisions about how to go about their day, how to live their lives, based on whether they can afford the medication that they need, and how to afford the medication that they need, and that’s an extraordinary reality and its one that really does impact our entire community, whether its visible to everyone or not,” Spanberger said. 

Spenberger: “End The Monopoly. Let Medicare Negotiate Drug Prices.” Spanberger, along with some Democratic colleagues, wrote about their support of the Lower Drug Costs Now Act in a 2021 op-ed in the Washington Post. Spanberger wrote, “Medicare, the U.S. government’s health insurance program for seniors, has long been prohibited by law from negotiating the prices it pays to drugmakers for medications. We know the pharmaceutical industry is using this loophole to set and keep prices high. That’s why giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices must be a priority. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs already enjoys this leverage. Extending that power to Medicare is a step the House took in 2019 with Republican votes — only to see it die in the Senate. We have another chance to pass it now as part of President Biden’s economic agenda.” 

2021: Rep. Spanberger Voted For The Build Back Better Bill, Which Will Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Rep. Spanberger voted for the Build Back Better bill in November 2021. Under this plan, Medicare will be empowered to negotiate prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at a doctor’s office. Beginning in 2025, 10 drugs, in addition to insulin, will be negotiated with that number increasing to 20 drugs in 2028 and into the future. Drug companies who refuse to come to the negotiating table will be subject to an excise tax. Under BBB, all Americans with insurance will see their insulin co-pays capped at $35 each month, and for seniors Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 per year. 

2020: Rep. Spanberger Sponsored Legislation To Increase Drug Price Transparency. Spanberger sponsored legislation to increase transparency around drug prices to create incentives to help keep prices down. Spanberger sponsored the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, which would require the rebates, discounts, and price concessions PBM’s negotiate to be made public on a website through the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

2019: Rep. Spanberger Voted For Historic Legislation To Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Rep. Spanberger voted for the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), historic legislation to drastically reduce Americans’ prescription drug prices by up to 55% and save taxpayers nearly $500 billion over the next 10 years. H.R. 3 included the most comprehensive drug pricing reform in American history and the largest expansion to Medicare’s benefits in decades.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 9:30 AM ET***

Atlanta, GA — Today, February 1 at 9:30 AM ET, Congressman Hank Johnson, State Senator Nan Orrock, and local advocates will join Protect Our Care Georgia and advocates to discuss the record number of Americans who have signed up for coverage during the ACA open enrollment period, and the need to make the lower ACA premiums — passed in the American Rescue Plan — permanent by passing the Build Back Better Act.

Among the 14.5 million people, 701,135 Georgians have signed up for coverage through the ACA marketplaces; a 36% increase from 2021. Provisions in the 2021 American Rescue Plan made coverage more affordable than ever before, with enhanced premium tax credits allowing four out of five eligible enrollees to find a plan for $10 or less per month. As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a more urgent time to ensure families can get the health care they need. President Biden and the House Democrats have worked hard to lower health care and prescription drug costs for Georgians. Now it’s more important than ever that the Senate pass the Build Back Better legislation.  

VIRTUAL EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA-04)
State Senator Nan Orrock
Treylin Cooley, Healthcare Navigator at Georgians for a Healthy Future
Local Advocates

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Tuesday, February 1 at 9:30 AM ET

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

Build Back Better Would Drive Down Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs and Expand Coverage to Millions

Watch the Video Here.

Watch the Mobile Billboard in Action Here.

Washington, DC — A mobile billboard appeared on Capitol Hill to welcome members of Congress back to D.C. The billboard will remind lawmakers the urgent need to pass the Build Back Better Act in order to lower health care and prescription drug costs and to expand and improve care for millions of Americans. President Biden has repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment to passing the Build Back Better Act’s health care provisions. 

Health care remains central to the popularity of the entire bill, with broad, bipartisan support for giving Medicare the power to negotiate, lowering premium costs, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, and extending Medicare benefits to include hearing. All of these policies would dramatically lower costs for working families across the country. 

72 Percent of Voters in Key States Support Plans to Lower Health Care and Drug Prices 

Washington, DC — New polls conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP) on behalf of Protect Our Care show that voters in Arizona and West Virginia strongly support lowering health insurance premiums and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, key elements of President Biden’s Build Back Better economic plan. More than 7 in 10 voters in Arizona (73%) and West Virginia (72%) agree that bringing down prescription drug prices and lowering the cost of health insurance premiums would help families combat rising costs and inflation. Arizonans and West Virginians also overwhelmingly support measures to lower health premiums, extend Medicare benefits to seniors, and expand coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap.

Arizona Results
West Virginia Results

In response to the poll’s findings, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“The poll results are the latest proof that voters want action to lower health care costs and prescription drug prices and they want it now. At a time when people are struggling with rising costs and inflation they know that reducing health care costs is a key part of the solution and they want Congress to act.” 

Key Findings:

• Drug Prices Are Too High. An overwhelming majority of Arizonans (86%) and West Virginians (85%) agree that prescription drug prices are too high in this country.
• Voters Agree: Lower Health Care Costs Would Help Families Like Theirs. 73% and 72% of voters in Arizona and West Virginia, respectively, agree that bringing down prescription drug prices and lowering the cost of health insurance premiums would help families like theirs.
• Strong Support For Medicare Negotiation. A strong majority of Arizonans (74%) and West Virginians (71%) support giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices. There is notable bipartisan support, which includes a majority of Republicans (60% in Arizona, 65% in West Virginia), most independents (79% in Arizona, 65% in West Virginia), and nearly all (85%) Democrats.
• Voters Want Action Now. Most Arizonans (74%) and West Virginians (71%) say it is important that Congress work this year to lower prescription drug prices, give Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, and lower insurance premiums.
• Strong Support For Closing The Medicaid Coverage Gap. Most voters (76% in Arizona, 75% in West Virginia) support closing the Medicaid coverage gap, allowing low- and moderate-income Americans to get health insurance at little or no cost if their state does not offer coverage under Medicaid.
• Bipartisan Support For Lowering Premium Costs. 76% and 71% of voters in Arizona and West Virginia, respectively, support lowering health insurance costs for people who buy insurance on their own by expanding tax credits and subsidies, including 72% and 69% of Arizona and West Virginia independents respectively, and 70% and 65% of Arizona and West Virginia Republicans respectively.

14.5 Million Signed Up for Health Coverage Thanks to President Biden

President Biden’s Leadership on Health Care Helped Millions of Families Gain Quality, Affordable Coverage

Washington, DC — Today, the Biden administration announced that a record 14.5 million people have signed up for health coverage during the 2022 open enrollment period. In California, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington DC, residents can continue to sign up for coverage through January 31. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:

“The success of this open enrollment period is not a coincidence. After Republicans spent years trying to hike health care costs and rip coverage away, President Biden prioritized the health and well-being of the American people. As a direct result of the President’s leadership, health insurance is more affordable than ever and millions of families were able to enroll in coverage for the first time. By passing the American Rescue Plan into law, four out of five enrollees were able to purchase health insurance for $10 or less per month. Families saved thousands on their premiums, giving them much-needed financial relief while ensuring they are protected if they get sick. And this is just the start: President Biden’s Build Back Better Act will drive down health care and prescription drug prices and ensure millions more Americans have the health care they need for years to come.” 

Senator Manchin’s Vote is Key to Passing Legislation to Give Medicare the Power to Negotiate for Lower Drug Prices

Listen to the Radio Ad Here

Morgantown, WV — Today, Protect Our Care announced a new radio ad calling on U.S. Senator Joe Manchin to support reforms that lower prescription drug prices, like the Build Back Better Act. Build Back Better includes strong measures to bring down prescription drug prices, including giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices — a proposal supported by 9 in 10 voters. Just this week, President Biden and Democratic leaders reaffirmed their commitment to lowering drug prices by passing the Build Back Better Act. Senator Manchin has repeatedly said that this reform is one he strongly supports.

Senator Joe Manchin and the American people agree — we need to lower the cost of prescription drugs,  lower health care costs, and improve care for millions of seniors and working families. Now it’s time to deliver. The radio ad will run statewide.

“West Virginians are fed up with the broken system that allows drug companies to charge them three times more for medications than people in other countries,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “These drug pricing provisions are central to the bill’s popularity and would drive down everyday costs for families. Senator Manchin has agreed that giving Medicare the power to negotiate is good policy and the right thing to do, and now is his opportunity to deliver on his promises. It’s time to get this over the finish line to lower drug prices for West Virginians.” 

Ad Script (60s):

Too many West Virginia families trying to go to sleep tonight won’t be able to. They’ll be worried about their kids. Their families. Their ability to make ends meet.

And, for far too many, they’ll be worried about the rising costs of prescription drugs. It doesn’t have to be this way.

These patients know the system doesn’t work for them. West Virginians pay three times more for medicines than people in other countries… 

So, more than four in ten West Virginians skip doses of medication or don’t even fill their prescriptions. They can’t afford it. 

While these West Virginia families stay up at night, the big drug companies continue to make record-breaking profits. 

It just isn’t right.

That’s why we need our Senator Joe Manchin to support the Build Back Better Act which gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices.

Senator Manchin said he is with us in this fight — and West Virginia families are counting on him to deliver.

It’s time to pass Build Back Better NOW,

Paid for by Protect Our Care.

Yesterday, President Biden and Democratic Leaders Reaffirmed Their Commitment to Lowering Health Care Costs

Watch Protect Our Care’s New Video Here

Yesterday, President Biden and Democratic leaders in Congress confirmed that policies to lower health care costs are central to the path forward on the Build Back Better Act. Measures to lower premium costs, reduce drug prices, and expand coverage enjoy overwhelming support from the American people. By prioritizing health care, Democrats are proving their commitment to delivering meaningful relief to working families across the country. 

Here’s what people are saying: 

President Joe Biden: “‘We need the Senate to pass my Build Back Better Act, which will lower premiums for more than 9 million Americans, cover 4 million Americans in states that have failed to expand Medicaid, lower prescription drug costs, and bring down the price of insulin from $1,000 a month to $35 a month,’ he said. ‘We have to get this done. We have to get it done together. And we will.’” [Politico, 1/25/22] 

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR): “Democrats are closer than ever before to holding Big Pharma accountable for decades of high prices. These high prices have inflicted pain on seniors, families, and taxpayers, and now is the time to do something about it.” [Protect Our Care, 1/25/22] 

Senator Tammy Baldwin: “I agree with @POTUS and @RonWyden we must close the Medicaid coverage gap in my state so we can open the door for 90,000 Wisconsinites to have access to high-quality, affordable health insurance. #BuildBackBetter” [@SenatorBaldwin, 1/25/22] 

Representative Peter Welch: “We are the closest we have been to finally getting real prescription drug reform done for millions of Americans. Now is the time to get this across the finish line because lower drug prices are good for all Americans, whether you voted for Biden or Trump.” [Protect Our Care, 1/25/22] 

Representative Hakeem Jeffries: “The Build Back Better Act will significantly lower health care costs for everyday Americans. Republicans are still trying to detonate protections for those with pre-existing conditions.” [@RepJeffries, 1/26/22]

Representative Pramila Jayapal: “We fight inflation by passing Build Back Better and lowering costs for families and working people. Let’s get this done.” [@RepJayapal, 1/25/22]

Judy Soloman, Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: “BREAKING; @POTUS Senate Finance Committee Chair @RonWyden said today that #BuildBackBetter would close the #Medicaid coverage gap, which would once and for all provide a pathway to coverage for over 2 million uninsured people in states refusing to expand.” [@JudyCBPP, 1/25/22] 

Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care: “Today @POTUS and the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee @RonWyden said Build Back Better must include Rx Drug reform, closing the Medicaid Coverage & extending the ACA tax credit enhancements which were included in the American Rescue Plan. Hugely significant. @ProtectOurCare” [@woodhouseb, 1/25/22] 

Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care: “Support for ending big drug company greed has grown and solidified in the Senate, and we are confident that no matter what form the final Build Back Better Act takes, the bill that goes to the President’s desk will include bold measures to drive down drug prices.” [Protect Our Care, 1/25/22] 

Coverage: 

Bloomberg Government: Democrats Target Drug Prices for BBB Unity. “Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) told reporters yesterday that Democrats agree broadly on expanding access to health care, empowering the government to negotiate with drugmakers and offering tax incentives for clean energy. Senate Democrats hope to clear a package soon built around these policies, he added. ‘The reality is there is a lot of common ground right now,’ Wyden said.” [Bloomberg Government, 1/26/22] 

Watch the Video Here. 

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL), and West Virginia-based patient advocate Mindy Salango joined Protect Our Care to discuss the ongoing efforts to ensure that the final iteration of the Build Back Better Act includes strong measures to bring down prescription drug prices. The event comes as President Biden reiterated his commitment to passing the Build Back Better Act’s health care provisions. 

During the call, speakers noted the broad support for giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, limiting insulin prices for diabetics, capping out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and limiting outrageous price hikes. All of these policies would dramatically lower costs for working families across the country. 

“Today Democrats are closer than ever before to holding Big Pharma accountable for decades of high prices. These high prices have inflicted pain on seniors, families, and taxpayers, and now is the time to do something about it,” said U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). “The set of reforms introduced late last year – Medicare negotiation, inflation rebate, insulin copay caps, and an out-of-pocket cap in Medicare – are going to meaningfully lower prices and ease the financial burden of prescription drugs. I am confident that, with the help of everyday Americans raising their voices, there can finally be some relief from high drug prices.”

”No one should ever have to choose between paying for the medication they need and buying groceries for their family. But right now that is all too regular because of Big Pharma’s rip-off prices,” said U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL). “We are the closest we have been to finally getting real prescription drug reform done for millions of Americans. Now is the time to get this across the finish line because lower drug prices is good for all Americans, whether you voted for Biden or Trump.” 

“It really doesn’t matter if you’re conservative or liberal, Democrat, independent, or Republican, because people of all stripes are suffering from the greed of the pharmaceutical companies,” said Mindy Salango, patient advocate with diabetes from West Virginia. “I have been diabetic for the past 27 years, and I have seen the cost of insulin in that time skyrocket. I found myself rationing insulin in order to provide a home, bills, and groceries for my daughter. That isn’t a position anyone should be in. Every minute that passes that the Build Back Better Act is not enacted, we’re risking lives.”

“At a time when Americans are worried about inflation and uncertainty about the pandemic, it is critical to deliver meaningful relief. Build Back Better’s provisions to lower drug prices are among the bill’s most consequential measures to lower everyday costs for families,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Democrats, Republicans, and independents overwhelmingly support giving Medicare the power to lower drug prices, capping seniors’ out-of pocket costs, limiting insulin costs and cracking down on outrageous price hikes. Support for ending big drug company greed has grown and solidified in the Senate, and we are confident that no matter what form the final Build Back Better Act takes, the bill that goes to the President’s desk will include bold measures to drive down drug prices.”