Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today announced his support for legislation that would grant Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for seniors and people with disabilities. Van Hollen signed a discharge petition that would bring this proposal to the floor for a fair up-or-down vote.
“Unfortunately, the Medicare drug law that the Republican-controlled Congress passed in 2003 did absolutely nothing to actually bring down the costs of prescription drugs,” stated Van Hollen. “The law actually prohibited Medicare from negotiating for lower prices. We must stand up for seniors and people with disabilities and reverse this provision – giving Medicare the ability to get the lowest possible prices for its 44 million beneficiaries.”
Currently, Medicare is the only entity in this country that cannot bargain for lower drug prices. The states, Fortune 500 companies, large pharmacy chains, and the Veterans’ Administration all use their bargaining clout to obtain lower drug prices for the patients they represent. Medicare should have the same ability.
“It is a disgrace in our country that so many seniors and people with disabilities have to choose between buying the medications their doctors have prescribed and buying food,” stated Van Hollen. “Our bill would lower drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by allowing the government to negotiate lower drug prices. This bill has bipartisan support. It is outrageous that the Republican Leadership has been blocking it from coming up for a vote.”