Rep. Stevens Votes to Bring Down Prescription Drug Prices

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) voted to pass H.R.3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which will help bring down the cost of prescription drugs and level the playing field for American patients who are paying more for their medicines than patients in other countries. This bill gives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies, and apply those lower prices to all consumers on private plans. H.R. 3 also caps out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 for Medicare beneficiaries. H.R. 3 passed with a bipartisan 230-192 vote.  

This morning, Rep. Stevens managed debate and spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to advocate for this bold legislation to bring down drug prices.

“Families in Michigan’s 11^th District are facing skyrocketing prescription drug prices, forcing many to choose between their medications and putting food on the table or meeting other basic needs,” said Congresswoman Stevens . “That is unacceptable, and it’s why I pledged to make this issue one of my top priorities this year. I was proud to advance H.R.3 today to deliver on that promise. This historic legislation saves hundreds of billions of dollars, to be reinvested in innovation to search for new cures and treatments, as well as desperately needed funding for states to help combat the opioid crisis, and to create a long-overdue coverage benefit in Medicare for dental, vision, and hearing care. I urge the Senate to take up and pass H.R.3, and send it to the President’s desk for his signature.”

A report conducted by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform earlier this year found that insulin prices for the 23,000 Medicare beneficiaries living with diabetes in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District are up to 4.9 times greater than in other countries. In 2016 alone, insulin cost both Medicare and seniors in the 11th District 20 million dollars. Additionally, uninsured individuals in the 11th District pay an average of $583 for a monthly supply of insulin, as compared to the insulin price of $28 in Australia. For the most commonly used insulin medications, Michigan residents spend anywhere from $1,200 to $20,000 annually. H.R. 3 would lower the average total cost of brand name insulin by up to 76% from about $19,800 to $4,800 per year.

The Lower Drug Costs Now Act also includes the Maximizing Drug Coverage for Low-Income Seniors Act, Congresswoman Stevens’ legislation to improve the Medicare enrollment process and lower out-of-pocket costs for low-income older adults by ensuring that beneficiaries are intelligently assigned to a Part D plan that best meets their medication needs at the lowest cost.

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