Roundup

Yesterday, Senate Democrats overcame unified Republican opposition and a record-breaking lobbying campaign from Big Pharma to pass the most significant health care legislation since the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Along with combating inflation and making key investments in climate and energy, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will drive down health care and prescription drug costs for the American people. By giving Medicare the power to negotiate, capping seniors drug costs, limiting many of Big Pharma’s price hikes, and lowering premium costs, this historic legislation will deliver long-overdue relief to millions of Americans, making health care more affordable, accessible, and equitable. Here’s what Democratic Senators are saying about their historic victory: 

Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer: “The Inflation Reduction Act that Senate Democrats delivered will bring down health care costs and lower prescription drug costs.” [8/8/22]

Majority Whip Senator Dick Durbin: “@SenateDems have heard the American people: do something to fight inflation, lower prescription drug prices, and combat the climate crisis. Today’s historic legislation—the Inflation Reduction Act—will do just that.” [8/7/22]

Chair of Policy and Communications Committee Senator Debbie Stabenow: “PASSED! After many long hours, the Inflation Reduction Act has passed. A historic bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs, lower energy costs, address the climate crisis, and create millions of jobs.” [8/7/22]

Chair of Steering Committee Senator Amy Klobuchar: “Hard to put into words how big of a deal it is that we are finally lifting the ban on Medicare being able to negotiate drug prices. Over a decade of fighting. Millions and millions of seniors fought for this. Finally, they’ll have lower costs.” [8/8/22]

Vice Chair of Policy and Communications Committee Senator Cory Booker: “It [the Inflation Reduction Act] contains commonsense reforms that will allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and cap out-of-pocket costs. We will protect seniors from outrageous prices charged by pharmaceutical companies for lifesaving medications. It also provides an additional three years of Affordable Care Act subsidies which will lower health care premiums for millions of Americans.” [8/8/22]

Secretary of Conference Senator Tammy Baldwin: “After a long weekend of pushing to lower costs for working families, @SenateDems have passed the #InflationReductionAct. Our reforms will close tax loopholes for big corporations, cut the deficit, and lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs & health care premiums.” [8/8/22]

Chairman of Senate Finance Committee Senator Ron Wyden: “I’d like to say a huge thanks and kudos to my staff, especially those on @SenateFinance, who have been working tirelessly to craft this legislation to tackle the climate crisis and lower prescription drug costs. They’re the best in the business and set the bar for public service.“ [8/7/22]

Chairman of Senate Aging Committee Senator Bob Casey: “With the Inflation Reduction Act, families who rely on the ACA for health care plans can breathe easier because the boosted subsidies from the American Rescue Plan would be extended through 2025. Many families would pay little to nothing for their health care premiums.” [8/7/22]

Chair of Senate Commerce Committee Senator Maria Cantwell: “Washingtonians are paying way too much for prescription drugs. For example, the average cost of insulin more than tripled over the past 10 years to over $735 a month per patient. Now, with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare beneficiaries are guaranteed to pay no more than $35 a month.” [8/7/22]

Chair of Small Business Committee Senator Ben Cardin: “Senate Democrats have stepped up and passed legislation that will make it easier for American families to afford health insurance coverage and prescription drugs, while lowering energy costs and boosting job creation in the growing clean energy sector.” [8/7/22]

Chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee Senator Jack Reed: “The Inflation Reduction Act will help working families, lower deficits, create jobs, & boost private investment. For the 1st time, the Senate voted to lower Rx drug costs for seniors by finally giving Medicare bargaining power. It also addresses the climate crisis in a historic way.” [8/7/22]

Chairman of Joint Economic Committee Senator Martin Heinrich: “With the Inflation Reduction Act we are combating the climate crisis, fighting inflation, lowering health care and prescription drug costs, and finally making the tax code fairer so it’s no longer rigged in favor of corporations and the ultra-rich. What a momentous step forward.” [8/8/22]

Chairman of Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Senator Gary Peters: “Senate Democrats have taken a historic step to lower costs like prescription drug prices, tackle inflation and address working families’ most pressing concerns.” [8/7/22]

Senator Mazie Hirono: “The Inflation Reduction Act will lower costs for families, combat the climate crisis, reduce the deficit, and tackle inflation. Every single Republican just voted against it. Once again, Democrats are delivering for our families while Republicans sit on their hands.” [8/8/22]

Senator Raphael Warnock: “Great news, folks! After a long night, we passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation finally caps drug costs for seniors and helps Georgians save money on their health care, all while reducing the deficit. This is a big win for Georgians!” [8/7/22]

Senator Maggie Hassan: “Prescription prices don’t just ‘go up.’ Big Pharma executives choose to raise them behind closed doors. The Inflation Reduction Act takes on Big Pharma by allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices – driving down prices across the board.” [8/8/22]

Senator Richard Blumenthal: “Democrats have fought for years to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices which will result in huge savings for seniors. This bill is the largest investment & most important action to fight climate change in history.” [8/7/22]

Senator Angus King: “The Senate just passed the Inflation Reduction Act – this historic package will lower healthcare and energy costs for Maine people, fight climate change, and reduce the deficit. I’m proud to have supported the bill, and look forward to seeing the incredible impact it will have.” [8/7/22]

Senator Jacky Rosen: “From lowering prescription drug costs for seniors & making health care more affordable, to creating good-paying jobs as we invest in clean energy & our water future, the Inflation Reduction Act is a huge & historic win for Nevada families. I’m proud to have voted YES.” [8/7/22]

Senator Jeanne Shaheen: “Senate Democrats just passed historic legislation that will directly address inflation & make critical investments in working families. This includes my provision to extend ACA tax credits & historic action to combat climate change.” [8/7/22]

Senator Tina Smith: “Like I said before — this is a BIG deal. Senate Democrats got climate, health care, deficit reduction and tax fairness done – without the help of a single Republican.” [8/7/22]

Democrats Reach Historic Reconciliation Deal that will Lower Health Care Costs to Millions 

Yesterday, the Democrats announced a historic reconciliation deal that will deliver lower health care costs for millions of families. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 lowers health care premiums by extending ACA financial assistance for three years and lowers prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower costs for millions of Americans, caps seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2000 per year, and stops Big Pharma’s egregious annual price hikes. Polling shows how these provisions meet the needs of the American people; over 80% of Americans support giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, including over 80 percent of Republicans and independents, and 71% of voters say it’s important to renew Affordable Care Act subsidies, including 68% of independents and 55% of Republicans. Media coverage reinforces how this agreement delivers for the American people and is the biggest step towards equitable health care coverage since the Affordable Care Act. 

COVERAGE

KFF: “How Would the Prescription Drug Provisions in the Senate Reconciliation Proposal Affect Medicare Beneficiaries?” The Senate Finance Committee recently released legislative text to be included in a forthcoming reconciliation bill that includes several provisions to lower prescription drug costs for people with Medicare and private insurance and reduce drug spending by the federal government…This provision is expected to limit out-of-pocket drug spending growth for people with Medicare and private insurance and put downward pressure on premiums by discouraging drug companies from increasing prices faster than inflation. [KFF, 7/27/22]

Bloomberg Editorial: “New Budget Deal Would Be a Big Win for Congress — And the Country.” The new bargain would also put $64 billion toward extending Covid-era subsidies for Obamacare health insurance, thus helping millions of Americans avoid significant premium increases…The plan would remove a legal prohibition that has long prevented Medicare from bargaining with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of the 49 million Americans in its drug-insurance program. This barrier has kept US drug prices the highest in the world — $1,300 per person per year, on average. [Editorial, Bloomberg, 7/27/22]

Politico: “Biden Thanked Manchin and Schumer for Their Work and Described the Deal as ‘the Action the American People Have Been Waiting For.’” Notably, the legislation also extends Affordable Care Act subsidies through the 2024 election and the first term of Biden’s presidency, taking a big political headache off the table for Democrats. Manchin said that “helps people because you just can’t throw [increases] on them during inflammatory times like this.” In a statement, Biden thanked Manchin and Schumer for their work and described the deal as “the action the American people have been waiting for.” [Politico, 7/27/22]

NPR: The Inflation Reduction Act Will “Continue Expansions To The Affordable Care Act” And “Allow Medicare To Pursue Lower Drug Costs.”  The legislation — called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 — would also continue expansions to the Affordable Care Act that passed during the pandemic though 2025 and allow Medicare to pursue lower drug costs by negotiating directly with drug companies. [NPR, 7/27/22]

Washington Post: The “Spending Package That Aims To Lower Health-Care Costs” “Mark[s] A Massive Potential Breakthrough.” Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) on Wednesday reached a deal with Democratic leaders on a spending package that aims to lower health-care costs, combat climate change and reduce the federal deficit, marking a massive potential breakthrough for President Biden’s long-stalled economic agenda. [Washington Post, 7/27/22]

Today, President Biden joined U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) in Virginia to stress Democrats’ commitment to passing the Build Back Better Act’s critical provisions to lower prescription drug costs. President Biden emphasized the importance of delivering relief to families who are struggling to make ends meet, noting that “everyone has less money in their pockets today because of high drug costs.” Build Back Better gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, caps seniors’ out-of-pocket costs, holds drug companies accountable for excessive price increases, and limits insulin copays to $35 per month for people with insurance. During the event, Rep. Spanberger and President Biden urged the Senate to move quickly to pass the historic legislation. 

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Biden, With Spanberger In Culpepper, Urges Lower Prescription Drug Prices. “President Joe Biden visited a heavily Republican rural stronghold in Virginia on Thursday to join Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, to push Congress  to take action on proposals to reduce the price of insulin and other prescription drugs… The $1.75 trillion package stalled in the Senate this year after failing to win support of all 50 Democrats necessary to pass the bill in the evenly divided chamber. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he was unwilling to support such a large spending package with inflation rising, but he signaled he still wants to take action to lower drug prices.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/10/22]

AP: Biden Puts Focus On Drug Prices In Fight Against Inflation. “President Joe Biden stressed Thursday that his administration’s policies would cut prescription drug prices and make life more affordable for families… Spanberger said she welcomes any effort to lower prescription drug prices and told reporters that the effort was about a broader attempt to reduce inflation.” [AP, 2/10/22]

The Washington Post: Spanberger Joins Biden In Her District To Talk Prescription Drug Costs. “Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) appeared with President Biden in her district Thursday to speak with him about federal action to lower the cost of prescription drugs, part of Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and one of the congresswoman’s foremost priorities as she heads into a heated reelection campaign.” [The Washington Post, 2/10/22]

The Hill: Biden Calls On Senate To Pass His Agenda To Lower Drug Prices. “President Biden on Thursday called on the Senate to pass his currently-stalled Build Back Better legislation, touting that it would lower prescription drug prices, a popular issue ahead of the midterm elections. Biden traveled to the Virginia district of vulnerable Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, saying that drug prices are “outrageously expensive” and calling for action.” [The Hill, 2/10/22]

Bloomberg: Biden Urges Congress To Pass His Plan To Lower Drug Prices. “President Joe Biden called on lawmakers to pass his plan to lower prescription drugs prices, saying he’s seeking to reduce rising costs faced by families at a time when inflation is surging… Biden’s stalled $2 trillion Build Back Better social spending plan seeks to lower prescription medication costs for people with Medicare and private insurance by allowing the federal government to negotiate the price of some drugs, cap out-of-pocket spending for some Medicare enrollees and limit costs for insulin.” [Bloomberg, 2/10/22]

Spectrum News 1: Biden Pushes For Action On Lowering Drug Costs To ‘Ease The Burden On Working Families.’ “President Joe Biden on Thursday called on Congress to take further action to address the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs across the country, saying it is far past time to ‘ease the burden on working families.’ ‘In America, we pay the highest prescription drug prices of any nation – developed nation – in the world,’ Biden said Thursday. ‘Everyone has less money in their pockets today because of high drug prices, drug costs and health insurance and it’s more expensive for everyone.’” [Spectrum News 1, 2/10/22]

Millions of Americans Will Benefit from Lower Costs, Better Care, Expanded Coverage

On Friday, November 19, House Democrats passed the Build Back Better Act. The landmark legislation includes measures to deliver relief to American families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. Coverage makes clear that Build Back Better’s health care measures will drive down costs for seniors and working families across the country. 

“With Build Back Better, millions of Americans will finally be able to afford the health care they need,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “For far too long, Americans have had to pay too much to see the doctor or get the medications they depend on. Now, once the Senate passes this historic bill, working families, seniors, and parents will pay less for prescription drugs and health insurance, and millions of Americans will gain affordable coverage. While every Republican in the House voted against lowering costs for families, Democrats delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs for all Americans.” 

New York Times: What’s in the $2.2 Trillion Social Policy and Climate Bill. “For the first time, the government would be given the power to regulate the prices of certain prescription drugs. Medicare would be allowed to negotiate directly with drug makers over a subset of expensive drugs in the coming years. And drugmakers would be barred from raising the prices of their medicines by more than the rate of inflation. The drug price provisions are less aggressive than an original House proposal, but still expected to have substantial effects over time.” [New York Times, 11/21/21]

Washington Post: House Passes Roughly $2 Trillion Spending Package That Would Expand Social Benefits And Fight Climate Change. “Targeting health care, the measure offers new Medicare benefits covering hearing services and empowers the government for the first time to negotiate some prescription drug prices, aiming to lower the costs that seniors pay for lifesaving medicines such as insulin.” [Washington Post, 11/19/21]

New York Times: House Narrowly Passes Biden’s Social Safety Net And Climate Bill. “‘Under this dome, for centuries, members of Congress have stood exactly where we stand to pass legislation of extraordinary consequence in our nation’s history and for our nation’s future,’ [Speaker Pelsoi] said, adding, the act ‘will be the pillar of health and financial security in America.’” [New York Times, 11/19/21]

Fierce Healthcare: Here Are The Policies And Reforms That Could Reshape Healthcare In The $2T Bill Just Passed By The House. “The House passed a massive roughly $2 trillion infrastructure package that will give Medicare the power to narrowly negotiate prices on certain prescription drugs and close the Medicaid coverage gap.” [Fierce Healthcare, 11/19/21]

Wall Street Journal: House Passes Roughly $2 Trillion Social Spending And Climate Bill. “Many of the measures in the House product, including expanded subsidies for healthcare premiums, appear on track toward becoming law by the end of the year.” [Wall Street Journal, 11/19/21]

Vox: House Democrats Finally Pass A Massive Social Spending Bill. “Democrats have used the bill to address their long-held policy goal of enabling Medicare to negotiate drug prices. The legislation would allow the federal government to renegotiate how much Medicare pays for 10 drugs in the near term, a change that’s expected to help lower costs significantly — not just for the government, but for all of those who need those medicines — given the leverage that Medicare has.” [Vox, 11/19/21]

AP: Dems Sweeping Social, Climate Bill Passes Divided House. “The 2,100-page bill’s initiatives include bolstering child care assistance, creating free preschool, curbing seniors’ prescription drug costs and increasing efforts to slow climate change. Also included are tax credits to spur clean energy development, bolstered child care assistance and extended tax breaks for millions of families with children, lower-earning workers and people buying private health insurance.” [AP, 11/19/21]

Huffington Post: House Passes Build Back Better Bill. “The $1.7 trillion in spending over 10 years is aimed at lowering the cost of health care, child care and other measures, including another year of monthly payments to parents, universal pre-kindergarten and prescription drug reform.” [Huffington Post, 11/19/21]

USA Today: House Passes Biden’s Build Back Better Bill, Sending Measure With Free Preschool, Climate Initiatives To The Senate. “The legislation was approved on a 220-213 vote clearing a major hurdle for a plan that is the cornerstone of his sweeping domestic agenda to expand the nation’s social safety net, confront climate change, and help Americans bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic….the roughly $2 trillion package of progressive priorities would provide…caps certain drug costs… and provides new hearing benefit for seniors.” [USA Today, 11/19/21]

In the coming days, Congress will pass the Build Back Better Act, historic legislation that will drive down health care costs and level the playing field for working families. Central to the Build Back Better Act is giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices. Big Pharma has spent more than $250 million to try to stop it, but the American people remain unswayed. 

Polling clearly shows the American people do not trust the pharmaceutical industry. After years of putting profits over people and pushing life saving medications out of reach, Americans have had enough.

Americans Do Not Trust Drug Makers To Set Fair Prices. With skyrocketing price increases year after year, three in four Americans do not trust drug companies to price their products fairly. 

Americans Believe Big Pharma Puts Profits Over People. The vast majority of Americans, from across the political spectrum, because the high cost of prescription drugs is caused by Big Pharma’s greed. 78 percent report pharmaceutical company’s profits are a major factor contributing to the soaring cost of medications.

 

Americans Believe Pharmaceutical Companies Have Too Much Influence. 72 percent of Americans say the pharmaceutical industry has too much influence over the federal government. In 2021 alone, Big Pharma has spent nearly $263 million on lobbying — devoting three lobbyists to each member of Congress.

Americans Hold Overwhelming Negative Views Of The Pharmaceutical Industry. A 2019 Gallup poll found the pharmaceutical industry to be “the most poorly regarded industry in Americans’ eyes.” The critique of Big Pharma included their seemingly never ending price increases, massive lobbying influence, and role in the opioid crisis, proving distrust of the pharmaceutical industry is far reaching. 

Majority Of Americans Don’t Buy Pharma’s Argument. Nearly seven in 10 Americans are not convinced by the pharmaceutical industry’s argument that drug price negotiation will harm innovation. 

Yesterday, Democrats announced a framework for the Build Back Better Act. While the agreement includes historic measures to dramatically lower health costs and expand care, it is missing a critical provision: giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for all Americans. Medicare negotiation is the most popular and transformative health care measure in the entire bill. As Big Pharma and their allies in Congress continue to fight against reform, Democrats from across the political spectrum agree that Medicare negotiation must remain in the final package. 

House Energy and Commerce Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ): “[Pallone] does not think the Build Back Better Act can pass the House without meaningful reforms to lower the cost of prescription drugs.” [@rachel_roubein, 10/28/21]

House Energy and Commerce Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ): “I remain committed to finalizing an agreement that includes price negotiation, a cap on seniors’ out-of-pocket drug spending, and a penalty for Big Pharma companies that unfairly raise prices.” [Time, 10/28/21]

House Energy and Commerce Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ): “I still feel confident that we’re going to get a drug pricing initiative, but I just want you all to know that pharma is doing whatever they can to try to prevent any drug pricing provision being in this bill. And if it doesn’t get in the bill, it’s totally because of them and their lackeys here in the House and the Senate.” [Roll Call, 10/28/21]

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR): “We’re staying at it. This is too important.” [Time, 10/28/21]

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR): “The deal isn’t done until the Senate acts.” [The Washington Post, 10/28/21]

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR): “The way I would put it — if you want you know, my bottom line — it is non-negotiable that negotiation become a part of Medicare now.” [Roll Call, 10/28/21]

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT): “I have some serious concerns about what is not in the bill. For years, we have been talking about lowering the cost of prescription drugs and that is not in the bill. At all.” [The Wall Street Journal, 10/29/21]

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT): “Bottom line is that any reconciliation bill must include serious negotiations on the part of Medicare with the pharmaceutical industry, lower the cost of prescription drugs.” [@MedicareWorld, 10/26/21]

House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA): “It’s not dead. I think that’s a fair statement.” [The Washington Post, 10/29/21]

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN): “It is time for Americans to get a better deal and I won’t stop fighting for it.” [@amyklobuchar, 10/28/21]

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT): “We should keep fighting to get the best deal in the package and push for it to include negotiation of drug prices.” [@ChrisMurphyCT, 10/28/21]

Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07): “I’m not backing down.” [@RepSusanWild, 10/27/21]

Big Pharma has ramped up their lobbying and their lies around drug pricing as Congress closes in on a budget agreement that has the potential to provide relief to consumers struggling with sky-high drug prices. Giving Medicare the power to negotiate is the single most effective way to lower drug prices for patients. With Republicans bought and paid for, every Democrat in Congress needs to get on board with this overwhelmingly popular proposal. Editorials, lawmakers, advocates and patients across the country urge Congress to do the right thing and pass Medicare negotiation now.

EDITORIALS:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Time Has Come To Bargain Drug Prices. “Bringing down prescription drug prices has been a major kitchen-table issue for American consumers for years. When the 2019 bill was being debated, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed that more than 85% of Americans favor allowing the government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies and using those negotiated prices for private citizens too. And politicians have long pushed for allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices — Presidents Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Barack Obama all campaigned on it.” [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9/17/21]

New Jersey Star Ledger: Don’t Be Duped by Dark Money ‘Mediscare’ Ads: “Democrats aren’t cutting Medicare in their $3.5 trillion plan – they’re expanding it. They’re adding new dental, hearing and vision benefits to help folks like the nearly 20 percent of American seniors who have no teeth left. And they’d cover the cost of this by negotiating lower prices for prescriptions. So who is lobbing these lies? Thanks to laws that hide the identity of the sponsors, we can’t know for sure, but who could it be aside from Big Pharma?” [NJ.com, 10/6/21]

The Press Democrat: Let Medicare Negotiate Cheaper Drug Prices. “The federal government could save up to $450 billion over 10 years if Medicare could negotiate drug prices. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the provision also would increase federal revenues by $45 billion by lowering costs for employer-provided health care plans and increasing employees’ taxable incomes. Beneficiaries would pay less, too. Polls shows near-universal support among Democrats for giving Medicare the power to negotiate prices with the pharmaceutical industry, but that change has remained elusive, even as part of a reconciliation package that Democrats can pass with no Republican votes.” [The Press Democrat, 10/1/21]

OP-EDS:

U.S. Reps. Brown and Mfume in the Baltimore Sun: Congress Must Act to Lower Prescription Drug Prices. “It’s long past time Congress acted decisively to make prescription medications more affordable to save lives and ensure families can afford the medicines they need to care for themselves and their families. Fortunately, there’s a tangible fix to this problem: Empower Medicare to negotiate for lower prices with the pharmaceutical industry…It doesn’t have to be this way. It’s long past time for Congress to fix this problem by applying a common-sense approach: allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for all Americans.” [The Baltimore Sun, 9/7/21]

U.S. Reps. Allred, Axne, Davids, Kim and Spanberger in The Washington Post: Opinion: End The Monopoly. Let Medicare Negotiate Drug Prices. “The current system is broken, and it is harming Americans. But now, Congress can stand on the side of consumers and take decisive action to lower prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. By giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, Congress can make sure patients come first.” [The Washington Post, 9/23/21]

Orlando Sentinel: Op-Ed: Rep. Murphy, Please Vote to Lower Prescription Costs. “As I am currently in the Medicaid gap for coverage, I pay almost 80% of the cost of my medication to treat my diabetes and heart condition, which totals over $500a month. That is an extremely high cost just to stay alive, and it has given me financial difficulties to both afford my medicine and stay on top of my bills. I know I’m not alone. Americans pay three times more for prescription drugs than people in other countries, and far too many are forced to make impossible choices between accessing lifesaving prescription drugs or putting food on the table or paying rent.” [Orlando Sentinel, 10/07/21]

Delaware Business Times: Op-Ed: First State in Need of Drug Pricing Reform. “A recent report from West Health found that 25% of Delaware residents couldn’t afford a prescription given to them by their doctor and that over 146,000 respondents in the state chose not to seek treatment for medical issues because of the prohibitive cost of care. It’s clear Delawareans looking to fill their prescriptions need relief, and fortunately, the Biden administration and key senators, like Carper and Coons, are poised to take action.” [Delaware Business Times, 9/20/21]

Reno Gazette Journal: Op-Ed: Nevadans of All Ages Need Lower Drug Prices. “Lawmakers have no good excuse for leaving anyone behind, watering down reform or kowtowing to industry demands for minimal change. The prescription drug industry is the most profitable sector in the nation, outpacing profit margins in some other industries by double digits. A recent study showed that drug corporations could make $1 trillion less in sales and still be the most profitable industry in the nation.” [Reno Gazette Journal, 9/27/21]

Delaware Online: Op-Ed: Congress Must Act Now to Lower Prescription Drug Prices. “Congress must address drug prices to make health care more affordable. Families deserve the best care and treatment possible for their loved ones. This crisis impacts every American family, community and business. It is a universal issue that is growing. A June poll by West Health found that one in four Delaware families were unable to afford a necessary prescription over the last year and 67% said they believe prescription drug prices are continuing to climb. The stress and anxiety created by the financial cost for medications and insurance is one that we must continue to address across both the state and federal government.” [Delaware Online, 9/27/21]

Statesman Journal: Op-Ed: The Problem With Rep. Schrader’s Shifting Priorities on Lowering Drug Prices. “After supporting similar legislation in 2019, Schrader has shifted his priorities, opting to protect drug corporations’ power to control drug prices and doing nothing to lower prices for the hundreds of millions of non-seniors who are also struggling. After voting for an earlier version of the Lower Drug Costs Now Act last Congress, he’s now proposing a bill that would severely limit the number of drug prices that could be negotiated and the number of Americans who would benefit.” [Statesman Journal, 10/1/21]

Senate Democrats have taken a bold step to lower the cost of prescription drugs and health insurance premiums, and expand benefits and coverage so millions of Americans have access to affordable, quality health care. Today’s passage of the budget resolution delivers on the promise of President Biden and Democrats in Congress to expand Medicare to include dental, vision, and hearing benefits, lower the cost of premiums for those purchasing their health coverage on the ACA, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, and lowering prescription drug prices. Americans have spoken and President Biden and Congressional Democrats have listened. This moment marks significant progress in achieving the cost reductions and expanded benefits Americans have long sought. 

New York Times: Senate Passes $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan, Advancing Sweeping Safety Net Expansion. “The budget resolution will ultimately allow Democrats to use the fast-track budget reconciliation process to shield the legislation from a Republican filibuster. It will pave the way to expand Medicare to include dental, health and vision benefits.” [8/11/21]

Wall Street Journal: Senate Passes Democrats’ $3.5 Trillion Budget Blueprint. “Senate Democrats on the Budget Committee agreed last month to spend roughly $3.5 trillion on a package, whose framework was fleshed out Monday. The plan is set to expand the safety net by offering a federal paid-leave benefit, universal prekindergarten, two free years of community college and expanded Medicare to cover hearing, dental and vision care, among other provisions.” [8/11/21]

Washington Post: Senate Democrats Adopt Sweeping $3.5 Trillion Budget That Opens The Door To Health, Education And Tax Reforms. “Hours after the Senate advanced a bipartisan bill to improve the nation’s infrastructure, Democrats forged ahead independently on a second front — adopting a $3.5 trillion budget that could enable sweeping changes to the nation’s health care, education and tax laws…Chiefly written by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the $3.5 trillion blueprint sets in motion Democrats’ plans to expand Medicare, combat climate change and boost federal safety net programs.” [8/11/21]

Associated Press: Senate OKs Dems’ $3.5T Budget In Latest Win For Biden. “Medicare would add dental, hearing and vision benefits, and tax credits and grants would prod utilities and industries to embrace clean energy. Child tax credits beefed up for the pandemic would be extended, along with federal subsidies for health insurance. Besides higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, Democrats envision savings by letting the government negotiate prices for pharmaceuticals it buys.” [8/11/21]

The Hill: Here Are The Key Parts Of Democrats’ $3.5T Budget Resolution. “Democrats said the budget will provide funding for a slew of big health care moves, from adding Medicare benefits to lowering drug prices…Helping pay for it all is ‘hundreds of billions’ of dollars in savings from lowering prescription drug costs, Democrats also said…‘If Democrats are able to accomplish all these goals in the budget resolution released today, it would be the biggest reform of the healthcare system since the Affordable Care Act passed more than a decade ago,’ tweeted Larry Levitt, a health policy expert at the Kaiser Family Foundation.” [8/9/21]

Modern Healthcare: Senate Democrats Outline Priorities In Reconciliation Bill. “The committee also may see billions in healthcare savings as a result of plans to lower prices of prescription drugs.” [8/9/21]

Roll Call: Democrats Unveil Blueprint For $3.5T Budget Reconciliation Bill. “The Finance panel will draft provisions including on paid family and medical leave; renewing expanded health insurance exchange subsidies; Medicare expansion to dental, vision and hearing benefits; closing the Medicaid ‘coverage gap’ in states that haven’t expanded their programs; and subsidies for home health care services.” [8/9/21]

Axios: Democrats’ High-Stakes Fight Against Pharma. “The plan includes paid family and medical leave and an expansion of long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities. It would also extend the expansion of ACA premium subsidies, fill the Medicaid coverage gap in states that haven’t expanded the program, expand Medicare to include dental, hearing and vision benefits and allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices.” [8/10/21]

Vox: Biden’s Reconciliation Bill Would Be A Big Fucking Deal. “It’s a health care bill, especially for seniors.” [8/9/21]

CNBC: Senate Approves Framework Of $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan That Would Expand Medicare, Tax Credits And Climate Initiatives. “The resolution seeks to expand paid family and medical leave, make child care more accessible, create universal pre-K and tuition-free community college and extend enhanced household tax credits passed during the coronavirus pandemic. It also recommends lowering the Medicare eligibility age and expanding benefits to include dental, vision and hearing.” [8/11/21]

CNN: What’s In The Senate Reconciliation Package. “The instruction also calls for lowering the price of prescription drugs, saying it will save hundreds of billions of dollars. Democrats have long pushed to reduce drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices.” [8/9/21]

CNBC: Medicare Expansion And A Lower Eligibility Age Are Included In Democrats’ $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan. “‘This would be a very big deal for the Medicare program and Medicare beneficiaries,’ said David Lipschutz, associate director and senior policy attorney for the Center for Medicare Advocacy. ‘If Congress adds [those] benefits, it would fill some major gaps in coverage that the program has had since its inception,’ Lipschutz said. About 62.8 million individuals are enrolled in Medicare, the majority of whom are age 65 and older and rely on it as their primary health insurance.” [8/9/21]