(BOSTON, MA) — Statement of Community Catalyst Executive Director Emily Stewart on passage of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, today in the U.S. House of Representatives

“We applaud the House’s vote today to dramatically lower the cost the cost of prescription drugs for people across the country. By passing HR 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House took a major step forward to address one of people’s chief concerns about their health care — the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs.

 “The Lower Drug Costs Now Act would cut drug prices for consumers broadly, and for seniors in particular, by curtailing pharmaceutical monopoly power over pricing. For the first time, Medicare would be able negotiate lower drug prices, which would be extended to hundreds of prescription drugs under private health plans. As a result, 150 million Americans enrolled in employer-sponsored private plans and 70 million Medicaid beneficiaries would see significant cost savings on prescription drugs.

“According to a February 2019 Kaiser Family Foundation survey, nearly 3 in 10 persons taking a prescription drug reported skipping doses or cutting pills in half due to affordability issues. People across party lines want policymakers to enact policies that help lower prescription drug costs.

“In addition to reducing the cost of prescription drugs for consumers, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would save the U.S. government $500 billion over 10 years. Under this measure, those savings would go toward addressing other critical health needs including expanded coverage for vision, hearing and dental care through Medicare, increased investments in research and development through the National Institutes of Health, and measures to address the substance use disorders crisis.

“President Trump and Congress promised they would prioritize cutting the cost of prescription drugs. Thanks to Speaker Pelosi’s leadership, the House has delivered on that promise. Now it is the Senate’s turn. We hope they move swiftly and follow suit, and that the president will sign this bill into law before the end of the year.”

###

About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @HealthPolicyHub.