As Health Care Debate Shifts, Senators Reed And Whitehouse Join New Effort To Bring Down Prescription Drug Prices

Press Release

In the wake of Congressional Republicans' failed attempt to rip health coverage away from millions of Americans, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have joined Al Franken (D-Minn.) and a key group of Senate Democrats to launch a major push to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by bringing down the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs.

"Prescription drug costs are out of control," said Senator Reed. "Too many Rhode Islanders tell me they can't afford, nor understand why, their live-saving medications cost so much. Many of the straight forward steps in this bill, like allowing Medicare to negotiate the best price for prescription drugs on behalf of our seniors, are something I have championed for years."

"Too many Rhode Islanders are stuck choosing between food for dinner and the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy," said Senator Whitehouse. "This bill would take sensible steps to help contain costs like letting Medicare negotiate drug prices, forcing drug companies to show how they spend their profits, and permitting individuals and pharmacies to import drugs from countries where they're cheaper. Big drug companies may not like it, but consumers deserve the relief."

An overwhelming majority of Americans agree that prescription drug prices are too high and that we need action to lower prices. The Improving Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs Act would help ensure that drug companies put patients before profits and bring some much-needed relief to families and seniors, including many who have. had to make the impossible choice between paying for a life-saving drug and putting food on the table.

The landmark proposal seeks to tackle prescription drug costs by increasing transparency and accountability, boosting access and affordability of key drugs, spurring innovation, and increasing choice and competition.

The legislative package was also introduced by Bernie Sanders (I-VT.), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Tom Udall (D-N. Mex.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). A companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

The Senators' legislation is supported by the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), AFSCME, National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, National Physicians Alliance, and the Alliance for Retired Americans, among other organizations.

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