If Americans Can't Afford Prescriptions, They Can't Afford to Play Politics

Press Release

The rising cost of prescription drugs has dealt a crushing blow to the wallets of everyday Americans and put a great strain on the government supported programs some of our country's most vulnerable populations - our seniors, children, disabled and impoverished communities - rely on.

The American people demand bipartisan, commonsense action to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and I was proud to support the Lower Costs, More Cures Act that is widely bipartisan and comprehensive, full of real solutions rather than partisan politics, but apparently House Democrats didn't feel the same.

Last week was another setback for everyday Americans struggling to pay for lifesaving prescription drugs. Instead of bringing up the bipartisan legislation I supported, which lowers the cost of prescription drugs by promoting more low-cost options for patients, makes insulin more affordable, and much more, House Democrats passed almost entirely down party lines another Democrat messaging bill that will never actually become law.

House Democrats' legislation stifles medical innovation and development, scraps the bipartisan consensus on drugs for seniors in Medicare Part D, and mandates price setting instead of price negotiation.

We've seen great success with Medicare Part D and, with some reforms, this program could provide a rough outline of a solution when it comes to negotiating drug prices. Within Medicare Part D, private non-profit and for-profit health insurance companies bid to provide prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and separately negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies. The incentive for Part D plan sponsors to negotiate lower prices comes from the fact that they can then reduce their premiums for Medicare beneficiaries and therefore attract more customers. Due to the fact the taxpayer subsidy depends on the bids submitted by plan sponsors, this competition benefits not only Medicare beneficiaries, but taxpayers overall. Medicare Part D should be reformed to provide plans increased flexibility to enhance negotiating power with drug manufacturers and drive down costs for beneficiaries.

Unfortunately, this partisan legislation uses price setting instead of price negotiation, which would crush medical innovation and result in fewer cures. In fact, their legislation would create anywhere from 15 to 100 fewer cures according to the Congressional Budget Office and Council of Economic Advisers caused by the government price setting mandated under this bill.

We have a divided government, which means that partisan messaging bills have no chance of becoming law. This comes in stark contrast to the legislation I, and so many others, support, of which every single provision has received bipartisan support whether by passing out of House committees unanimously or passing the Senate with bipartisan support.

One of the best parts about this bipartisan legislation is that it could be passed and signed into law tomorrow, helping to provide relief to those struggling to make ends meet while ensuring they and their families have the life-saving medicine they need. When Long Islanders can't afford their prescriptions, they can't afford to play politics, which is why House Democrats should immediately bring the bipartisan, commonsense and comprehensive solution to the floor for a vote.

Congressman Lee Zeldin represents New York's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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