October 15, 2019

HOUSE DEMOCRATS RETURN WITH INCREASED MOMENTUM TO LOWER HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR EVERYDAY AMERICANS

WASHINGTON - In case you missed it, Members of the House Democratic Caucus spent the recent district work period reaching out to families across the country about the high cost of prescription drugs. As House Democrats return to Washington to fight For The People, an initial analysis from the Congressional Budget Office confirms that H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, will result in significantly lower prescription drug costs.

“House Democrats return to Washington today to continue our relentless focus on lowering the high cost of lifesaving prescription drugs for the people,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). “Like so many of my colleagues, I spent the district work period hearing stories from too many of my constituents about the impossible choices they face, like whether to put food on the table or pay for necessary medication. House Democrats committed to put people over profits, and the Lower Drug Costs Now Act will do just that.” 

Here’s a snapshot of what the American people heard from House Democrats during the district work period:

News12 New Jersey: Rep. Pallone spearheads bill to help lower cost of prescription drugs

Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone says that a bill he is working on would require prices of some of the highest cost drugs be negotiated by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and the manufacturers. Many of the same drugs are sold in foreign countries for a fraction of the price.

WKTV: Brindisi talks to local seniors about medication costs, Social Security
Congressman Anthony Brindisi held a town hall at the Whitestown Senior Center on Wednesday. He talked to the senior community about robocalls, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, the stability of social security, and his effort to protect Medicare. The congressman says these are bigger issues that he's been addressing in Washington.

Spectrum News: Lawmakers Consider Legislation Aimed at Lowering Drug Prices

… The proposal, crafted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, allows the government to negotiate the price of up to 250 drugs per year. Those prices would then apply not only to Medicare patients, but to those with private insurance as well, according to a summary from the speaker’s office. The proposal includes other provisions as well, including capping out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 for Medicare beneficiaries. Rep. GK Butterfield, D-1st District, is on the House committee considering the legislation and has expressed support for the plan. “We must do more at the federal level to drive down drug prices,” he said.

Tampa Bay Reporter: Castor: it’s time to lower the cost of medications

U.S. Rep Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, announced Tuesday (Oct. 1) that she is co-sponsoring the Lower Drug Costs Now Act that, she said, would provide much-needed relief for Florida seniors and families who depend on medication whether they are covered by Medicare, private insurance or are uninsured. Castor made her announcement during an event to highlight what they called the urgent need to lower prescription drug prices for Floridians. Castor was joined by Jeff Johnson from Tampa Bay AARP, Brooke and Tammy Loomis from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Delores Grayson from Organize Florida.

NoozHawk: Congressman Salud Carbajal Talks Health Care with Santa Barbara Retirement Community Residents

… The House will discuss other prescription drug-related bills when they meet for session in a week, including the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Carbajal said. He is a co-sponsor of the bill, H.R. 3, which ends the ban on Medicare directly negotiating with the pharmaceutical companies and limits the maximum price for negotiated drug to the average price, according to the measure. Current law forbids Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices. “People should never be forced to choose between putting food on the table or getting lifesaving medicine,” he said.

FOX 2 Detroit: 'Profits over people': activists protest prescription prices in Detroit
… "We put products before people," said U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib. “That is exactly what is happening in our country right now."… "When someone gets sick they don't have Democratic diabetes or Republican diabetes, they need insulin," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell. "And there is too many people cutting their medicine in half choosing between medicine and eating." … Under the proposed HR 3, the Health and Human Services Department could directly negotiate some of the prices for very expensive prescription drugs. That bill is currently in committee. 

Yahoo Finance: Rep. McBath Meets with AARP Georgia to Discuss Lowering Prescription Drug Prices
"As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I know what it's like to lay awake concerned about the high cost of health care," McBath said. "As your representative, I will continue to fight every day to protect the health of our communities, to lower the cost of prescription drugs, to provide comprehensive care for seniors, and to defend those with pre-existing conditions."

Spectrum News: Rep. Moore pushes for lowered drug costs
… Rep. Moore away from Capitol Hill and back in her district on Wednesday — led candid conversations between her supporters on the need for Washington to act now. “They gave me more than one example of people who could not afford their prescription drugs and it really caused some economic havoc within the families,” said Rep. Moore. The congresswoman says hope could be on the way. House Democrats rolled out the “Lower Drug Cost Now Act” (H.R. 3) last month and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is planning on bringing it to the House floor for a vote soon.

WXXI: Rep. Joe Morelle outlines bill designed to lower the cost of prescription drugs
Congressman Joe Morelle says skyrocketing prescription drug costs are forcing many people to choose whether they'll continue to take their medications. So, the Democrat for the 25th district is co-sponsoring a bill "The Lower Drug Costs Now Act," which he says will help ensure life-saving medications are accessible and affordable for everyone, especially seniors.

Seacoast Online: Pappas touts effort to lower Rx drug costs

U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas and Protect Our Care New Hampshire and Granite State Progress came together Wednesday for a roundtable discussion about the high cost of prescription drugs. Pappas talked about his work to pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act in the U.S House. The legislation would drastically lower prescription drug costs and hold insurance companies accountable, according to the congressman.

Daily Record: Rep. Schrier fields questions at Ellensburg town hall

… Schrier brought up a Bill H.R. 3 The Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019. This bill was recently introduced to Congress and is a “big deal” according to Schrier. The bill will allow Medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, and extend the negotiated price to the private market. The bill will also require drug companies to stop selling their products to Americans at a higher price than they sell to other countries. “I heard all along the campaign trail about people who were saying ‘the cost of my insulin used to be $40 now it is $300. My epipen used to be $50 now its $600,’ ” Schrier said.

MLive: Slotkin commits to legislative priorities while GOP impeachment criticism surges

… Slotkin hosted a roundtable in Rochester highlighting bipartisan legislation she sponsored to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Slotkin does not serve on any of the House committees charged with investigating the president and said she hopes to find consensus with Republicans on important issues while the inquiry moves ahead. “The thing I get pulled over for in Kroger is the cost of health care and the cost of prescription drugs,” Slotkin said. “A big reason I ultimately decided to run was because of my family’s experience when my mom was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and did not have health insurance at the time.”

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