Should the government be able to negotiate prescription drug prices?
Bill Summary
This bill would allow the government to negotiate prices for certain prescription drugs through a fair price negotiation program. It would protect Medicare from excessive price increases and set out-of-pocket maximums. Sponsor: Rep. Frank Pallone (Democrat, New Jersey, District 6)
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Opponents say
• “Socialist price controls will do a lot of left-wing damage to the healthcare system. And of course, we’re not going to be calling up a bill like that.” - Sen. Mitch McConnell (Republican, Kentucky)
• “It’s a huge government intervention in the drug marketplace, with a lot of price-setting. And the government basically pretty much taking over a private industry… It’s really bad policy and I think it’s dead on arrival over here” - Sen. John Thune (Republican, South Dakota)
• “[The Lower Drug Costs Now Act] would end the current market-based system that has made the United States the global leader in developing innovative, lifesaving treatments and cures.” - Stephen J. Ubl, PhRMA President and CEO
• “It’s a huge government intervention in the drug marketplace, with a lot of price-setting. And the government basically pretty much taking over a private industry… It’s really bad policy and I think it’s dead on arrival over here” - Sen. John Thune (Republican, South Dakota)
• “[The Lower Drug Costs Now Act] would end the current market-based system that has made the United States the global leader in developing innovative, lifesaving treatments and cures.” - Stephen J. Ubl, PhRMA President and CEO
Proponents say
• “Americans shouldn’t pay more for their prescriptions than people in other countries. For years, seniors & families across America have struggled under the sky-rocketing costs of prescription drugs they need to stay healthy.” - Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, California, District 12)
• “Because of my Administration, drug prices are down for the first time in almost 50 years — but the American people need Congress to help. I like Sen. Grassley’s drug pricing bill very much, and it’s great to see Speaker Pelosi’s bill [H.R. 3] today. Let’s get it done in a bipartisan way!” - President Donald Trump
• “Drug prices, clearly, are out of control. We’ve all heard the horror stories of families having to choose between paying for necessary medications like insulin or paying the mortgage, rent, or putting food on the table… American taxpayers support prescription drug innovation through government grants and R&D tax credits to drug companies, so Americans shouldn’t have to pay many times more what people in other countries pay. Something needs to be done, and Democrats are determined to get the job done. We promised we would do it, and we’re going to do it.” - Rep. Steny Hoyer (Democrat, Maryland, District 5)
• “Because of my Administration, drug prices are down for the first time in almost 50 years — but the American people need Congress to help. I like Sen. Grassley’s drug pricing bill very much, and it’s great to see Speaker Pelosi’s bill [H.R. 3] today. Let’s get it done in a bipartisan way!” - President Donald Trump
• “Drug prices, clearly, are out of control. We’ve all heard the horror stories of families having to choose between paying for necessary medications like insulin or paying the mortgage, rent, or putting food on the table… American taxpayers support prescription drug innovation through government grants and R&D tax credits to drug companies, so Americans shouldn’t have to pay many times more what people in other countries pay. Something needs to be done, and Democrats are determined to get the job done. We promised we would do it, and we’re going to do it.” - Rep. Steny Hoyer (Democrat, Maryland, District 5)
- Pelosi Unveils Measures to Lower Prescription Drug Costs (Washington Post)
- McConnell Warns Pelosi’s Drug-Pricing Plan is DOA (Politico)
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi Unveils Plan to Lower Prescription Drug Costs (NPR)
- Trump Praises Rollout of Pelosi’s Drug Pricing Bill After McConnell Rejects the Measure (NBC News)
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