Pappas and McBath Lead Freshman Members of Congress in Calling for Action on Prescription Drug Access and Affordability in Upcoming COVID-19 Legislation

Statement

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) led freshman House members in calling on the House leadership to make prescription drug access and affordability a top priority in the next COVID-19 relief package.

Specifically, the lawmakers are urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to guarantee that patients will be able to maintain an adequate supply of their medications during the pandemic. At a time when most Americans are being asked to stay at home, the freshman Members of Congress are calling for congressional action to ensure that consumers can access 30 day fills of their prescriptions and be notified of options to obtain 90 day fills.

In addition, the lawmakers are urging the House leadership to include measures in the next COVID-19 relief package to bring down the high cost of prescription drugs at a time when tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and their health coverage and are struggling to afford their medications. To address this challenge, the freshman lawmakers support the inclusion of bipartisan proposals, including a cap on out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D, in upcoming COVID-19 legislation so that American seniors and other at-risk groups aren't forced to choose between paying for their prescriptions and meeting other household needs.

"We have consistently heard from our constituents that costs are prohibitive to obtaining their medications, a problem that is exacerbated during a crisis," the lawmakers write. "Additionally, the need to social distance can make obtaining even affordable drugs difficult. We respectfully request that provisions making prescription drugs accessible and affordable are included in the next relief package."

Source