Republicans Continue to Side With Big Pharma
Yesterday, the House Committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways & Means held markups and a hearing on H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. House Democrats were united behind the bill’s popular proposals like allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices and holding drug companies accountable for creating a rigged system. While Democrats proved yesterday why they’re the party serious about lowering drug prices, Republicans continued to side with big pharma.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12): “The #LowerDrugCosts Now Act will improve financial opportunity for families & save lives across America by reining in out-of-control drug prices. #ForThePeople.” [Speaker Pelosi Twitter, 10/16/19]
Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (NJ-06): “Today my Committee is continuing our important work to make prescription drugs more affordable for consumers by marking up my #LowerDrugCosts Now Act. We can and we must stop drug companies from ripping off Americans.” [Chairman Pallone Twitter, 10/17/19]
Ways & Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (MA-01): “The #LowerDrugCostsNow Act would allow the US govt to negotiate lower drug prices for American consumers based on international pricing. Americans shouldn’t be paying substantially more than patients in other countries for the medicines they need to survive.” [Chairman Neal Twitter, 10/17/19]
E&C Subcommittee on Health Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (CA-18): “Without direct government negotiation, American prescription drug prices have soared. The annual cost of prescription drugs rose 58% over just five years. It’s time to put aside partisanship and pass #HR3 to lower the cost of prescription drugs for every American. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Chairwoman Eshoo Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Colin Allred (TX-32): “North Texas families shouldn’t have to choose between paying for their medications or paying their bills. By passing the #LowerDrugCosts Now Act, Congress can provide some real relief to folks struggling under the crippling weight of skyrocketing prescription drug costs.” [Rep. Allred Twitter, 10/18/19]
Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14): “No one should have to make the impossible choice between putting food on the table or purchasing medication. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Rep. Castor Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-39): “Americans should not have to pay more than families in other countries for life saving prescription drugs. We must ensure that everyone has access to affordable healthcare.” [Rep. Cisneros Twitter, 10/16/19]
Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01): “My daughter has Type 1 diabetes & just learned her insulin won’t be covered by her new insurance. She was told it will cost her $7,488/year for the insulin she needs to stay alive.This nonsense has to stop. Congress needs to fix this broken system and #LowerDrugCosts NOW!” [Rep. DeGette Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12): “When drug prices are negotiated, the costs will drop for hardworking men and women. Every other industrialized nation in the world does this. It’s time for us to put hardworking men and women first and do what’s best for them. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Rep. Dingell Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04): “Bottom line: you shouldn’t have to choose between paying your monthly bills and paying for your prescription drugs. It’s time for #Congress to pass #HR3 and #LowerDrugCostsNow.” [Rep. Horsford Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03): “@EdLaborCmte is marking up the #LowerDrugCostsNow Act for the millions of American families struggling to get by because they can’t afford their medication. Allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Caps out-of-pocket expenses. Saves millions in taxpayer dollars.” [Rep. Lee Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Ben Ray Luján (NM-03): “There’s bipartisan agreement: Americans deserve lower prescription drug prices. The #LowerDrugCosts plan that @HouseDemocrats have put forward will put money back in the pockets of New Mexico families and help our communities stay healthy.” [Rep. Luján Twitter, 10/17/18]
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06): “There are people in this country who cannot afford the prices of the very drugs they need to survive. The lives and health of the American people depend on all of us working together to lower drug costs & make health care accessible #ForThePeople.” [Rep. McBath Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02): “Bottom line: you shouldn’t have to choose between paying your monthly bills and paying for your prescription drugs. It’s really that simple. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Rep. Neguse Twitter, 10/16/19]
Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36): “You shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries and getting the medication you need. It’s really that simple. We must reduce the cost of prescription drugs. #RT if you agree. #LowerDrugCosts #ForThePeople.” [Rep. Ruiz Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Bobby Rush (IL-01): “This is great news for my constituents and all Americans who rely on lifesaving drugs. @HouseDemocrats are now one step closer to delivering on our promise of #LowerDrugCosts #ForThePeople!” [Rep. Rush Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09): “Here’s what the #LowerDrugCosts Now Act will do #ForThePeople BY THE NUMBERS: 55% reduction in negotiated drug prices. $2k cap of out of pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. $158 billion total overall patient savings. $345 billion Medicare savings.” [Rep. Soto Twitter, 10/17/19]
Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07): “People are forced to decide between paying for life-saving meds or putting food on the table. This cannot remain a reality for Americans. #HR3 will save lives by making prescription drugs more affordable.” [Rep. Wild Twitter, 10/17/19]