Following Pappas's Advocacy, Deal Announced to Include Prescription Drug Pricing Reforms in Build Back Better Legislation

Statement

Today, a deal was reached to include prescription drug pricing reforms in the Build Back Better legislation that is currently being negotiated in Congress. Following months of advocacy to include these provisions in the bill, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement:

"No one should have to ration or go without lifesaving medications while big drug companies reap record profits, but that's exactly what is happening to my constituents. When I travel around New Hampshire asking Granite Staters what's on their minds, there are few topics more urgent or more personal than the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. I've heard from a senior who is unable to retire because his life depends on drugs that cost $3,000 a month out of pocket. I've heard from a mother who shares a painful chronic condition with her daughter and has to decide every month whose prescription to fill because she can't fill both on her fixed income. Americans live this problem every day, and they are fed up with how drug companies have gamed the system for years."

"While there is still further work to be done, I'm pleased that this newly announced agreement will allow Medicare some ability to negotiate prescription drug prices, prevent drug companies from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation, and cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare at $2,000 per year. For too long, too many of our elected representatives have refused to hold companies accountable for putting profits ahead of patients. But I will never side with the drug companies over our constituents who are struggling to afford their prescriptions. Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass these reforms and Granite Staters need us to act."

Background:

Congressman Pappas is a co-sponsor of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, and helped to introduce this legislation in the House in 2019.

In July 2021, Pappas joined a letter urging Congressional leadership in both the House and the Senate to include provisions giving Medicare the authority and the tools to effectively negotiate prescription drug prices in upcoming reconciliation legislation.

In October 2021, Pappas sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer urging immediate action to address the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States by including legislative language in the Build Back Better Act to accomplish this.

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