Van Hollen, Pingree and Sarbanes Urge President Obama to Support State Prescription Drug Affordability Programs
Washington,
Jul 13, 2009 -
Today, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Congressman Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) released the letter below to President Obama, urging the President to support state prescription drug affordability programs. Van Hollen, Pingree and Sarbanes have also introduced the Voluntary State Discount Prescription Drug Plan Act of 2009, which would enable individual states to implement these plans independently.
“Many states have previously taken steps to implement these programs, including Maine and my home state of Maryland. These innovative state initiatives, which would provide access to affordable prescription drugs for thousands of Marylanders, were blocked by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Bush Administration. State prescription drug discount plans would extend vital access to life-saving medications to thousands of Americans struggling at the poverty line,” said Congressman Chris Van Hollen. “We must make low-cost prescription drug access an important component of our goals for health reform in this country. I urge the Obama Administration to support initiatives to establish state prescription drug affordability programs.”
“Allowing states to negotiate for lower prices is a common-sense approach to the problem of expensive prescription drugs. There is no good reason why states should be prevented from negotiating for a better deal on prescription drug prices and passing those discounts along to consumers,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree.
“Ensuring access to affordable prescription drugs improves health outcomes, making it less likely patients will end up in the emergency room or reliant on public health programs for treatment of more advanced conditions," said Congressman John Sarbanes. “We ought to preserve the ability of states to implement effective prescription drug discount programs.”
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
