Prescription Drugs

Floor Speech

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Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of individuals across New Hampshire and the country who are struggling to afford the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs.

Across my district, I hear from individuals each and every day about the significant burden and anxiety caused by the exorbitant costs of these prescriptions. That is why I introduced H.R. 4661, the Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act, along with Representative Tonko.

This is an important addition to H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, to expand seniors' access to prescription drugs under Medicare part D. This legislation will automatically enroll individuals in part D's subsidy program, known as Extra Help, when they have aged out of Medicaid Expansion.

We must continue to ensure that seniors receive access to this earned benefit without having to navigate what can be a complicated process.

When seniors arrive at the pharmacy counter, they shouldn't have to worry whether they can afford the medications they need to live with health and with dignity. This legislation is a step toward addressing this injustice, and I urge my colleagues to continue to support efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs in a bipartisan fashion and pass this legislation.

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