CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE ACTS TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FOR EVERYONE

(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced he is taking action in Washington to help reign in the exorbitant costs of prescription drugs, a phenomenon that has become out of control in this country. Congressman Morelle highlighted his support for the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, legislation which would extend the historic drug price negotiation program for Medicare recipients—which Congressman Morelle voted to enact as a part of the Inflation Reduction Act—to people on private insurance plans.

“Every day, I’m hearing from people in our community who are being forced to ration their prescription medications, or have stopped taking them altogether, due to their high costs. In Washington, we have the opportunity to do something to help them, and I believe it’s well-past time we do,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “The Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act is truly a no-brainer piece of legislation and will help struggling individuals and families get the life-saving medication they need. I’m proud to support this legislation, and I will continue to urge my colleagues to join me in advocating for its swift passage into law.

Dr. LeKeyah N. Wilson, Medical Director of Community Pediatrics and Wellness at Rochester Regional Health, said: “At Rochester Regional Health, we see the impact that high prescription drug costs have on families who are already struggling to make ends meet. By supporting the expansion of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program, not only are we are taking a stand for the health and well-being of our children and our future, we are shifting the burden of high drug costs off patients, health systems and community providers back to the manufacturers who set these high prices.” 

Dr. Linda Clark, President and CEO of Jordan Health, said: “Community health centers like Jordan Health ensure every person throughout our region is able to receive access to high-quality care regardless of their ability to pay. This is no different for our elders and those in dire need of affordable medications to maintain or improve their health outcomes. We will remain dedicated to making sure our patients know all of their options whether through a Medicare-enrolled program or any other medical coverage plan. Our goal is to partner with our patients to live a healthier lifestyle.”

Ann Marie Cook, President/CEO of Lifespan of Greater Rochester, said: “I want to thank Congressman Morelle for his tremendous support of older adults and for his support of the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act. In 2022, Congressman Morelle was a vocal proponent of the Inflation Reduction Act which, for the first time ever, granted the Secretary of Health and Human Services the ability to negotiate lower drug prices on some prescriptions. This was a significant help to older adults. This new legislation builds on that success and will continue to help millions of older adults simply pay for needed drugs so they can live without fear of financial ruin due to rising health care costs.”

In 2022, Congressman Morelle voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions to allow Medicare to negotiate the prices of some of the most expensive drugs. However, this program created by the Inflation Reduction Act only applies to Medicare recipients and does not provide any support for those on private insurance plans. The Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act would correct this and expand this landmark drug price negotiation program to Americans with private health insurance coverage, giving them access to the same benefits and cost-savings.

Specifically, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act would:

• Extend the Medicare’s drug price negotiation program to Americans with private coverage;
• Stop drug companies from raising prices faster than inflation by ensuring that the inflation rebates enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act also apply to individuals covered by private health plans;
• Strengthen the drug price negotiation program to deliver more savings to the American people by increasing the annual number of prescription drugs selected for negotiation from 20 to 50.

Lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs has long been one of Congressman Morelle’s top priorities in Congress. Click here to read more about his work to make high-quality healthcare more affordable and accessible for you and your family.

Read more about the existing Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website here.

Learn more about the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act and read the full text of the bill here.

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