Congressman Cuellar Co-Sponsors Bill To Lower Prescription Drug Prices

CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR CO-SPONSORS BILL TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES

Today, Congress passed HR 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act of 2007, which was co-sponsored by Congressman Henry Cuellar. This bill helps seniors get better prices on prescription medications under Medicare.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act repeals the provision in current law that prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices for Medicare beneficiaries. Instead, the bill would require the HHS Secretary to conduct such negotiations with drug companies on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.

"This bill is vital for those Americans who pay too much for essential prescription drugs," said Congressman Cuellar.

The bill also provides the Health and Human Services Secretary discretion on how to best implement the negotiating authority and achieve the greatest price discounts for Medicare beneficiaries. Furthermore, it continues to prohibit the HHS Secretary from requiring a particular formulary (i.e., a list of covered drugs) to be used by Medicare prescription drug plans or limiting access to any prescription medication.

Congressman Cuellar continued, "I am proud to co-sponsor such an important and crucial bill that millions of seniors will benefit from. Health care has always been one of my highest priorities, and I will continue fighting for low drug prices for seniors."

HR 4 provides that negotiated prices will take effect January 2008.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/tx28_cuellar/medicaredrug100hours.html