Rep. Cisneros Statement On Passage Of Lower Drug Costs Now Act

Statement

Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) released the following statement after H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, passed the House. The Act will reduce prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. Rep. Cisneros has been a staunch advocate for lowering prescription drug costs and reducing healthcare costs for his constituents.

"I was elected to Congress to fight for affordable and accessible healthcare, and it's an issue that's personal for both my constituents and my family," said Rep. Gil Cisneros. "My father suffered health problems from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and when he lost his insurance, he had to drive down to Mexico to buy his diabetes medication. My mother went without health insurance until she was eligible for Medicare. No family should ever have to choose between paying for life-saving treatment and paying the bills. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act takes needed action to lower the costs of prescription drugs."

H.R. 3 takes numerous actions to reduce the price of prescription drugs and uses the savings to expand Medicare benefits. Rep. Cisneros advocated for several provisions included in the final bill:

H.R. 3 allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices, just as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs does for our veterans. Rep. Cisneros is a cosponsor of H.R. 1046, the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019.
Starting in 2022, H.R. 3 caps out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries under the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan at $2,000 per year. It also eliminates the current coverage gap, known as the "donut hole," where beneficiaries are responsible for paying more for the cost of their drugs. Rep. Cisneros is a cosponsor of H.R. 4649, the Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act of 2019.
This legislation extends critical biomedical research projects at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the 21st Century Cures Act to provide support for scientific research related to antibiotic resistance, cancer, and rare diseases. Rep. Cisneros is a cosponsor of H.R. 4667, the Biomedical Innovation Expansion Act.
During consideration of the bill, the House unanimously approved an amendment jointly offered by Rep. Cisneros and Rep. Peters to establish a pilot program to develop, expand, and enhance the commercialization of biomedical products. This new program would help new life-saving drugs come to market and support small businesses.
In the 39th District, there are 99,082 people enrolled in Medicare Part D plan and 505,695 people enrolled in private health insurance, all of whom would benefit from the passage of The Lower Drug Costs Now Act.

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