NEW JERSEY — Yesterday, House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) and local health advocates joined Protect Our Care New Jersey for a virtual press conference to call on Congress to take action to lower prescription drug costs for Americans. Lowering prescription drug costs remains a priority for New Jerseyans and patients across the country.

New polling shows that after addressing COVID-19, the top issue for voters is lowering health and drug costs, and 93% support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. Coverage confirms that Congressman Pallone and his Democratic colleagues are committed to delivering on their promise to stand up to Big Pharma and finally give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.

COVERAGE

The Hill: Pallone Commits to Using ‘Whatever Vehicle I Can’ to Pass Democrats’ Drug Pricing Bill. “House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) on Tuesday said he would use ‘whatever vehicle I can’ to pass the Democrats’ drug pricing bill, known as H.R. 3, that would allow the federal government to negotiate for decreased prices on behalf of Medicare. Pallone joined health advocates from Protect Our Care New Jersey in calling for Congress to move forward with H.R. 3, or the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, to reduce prescription drug prices.” [The Hill, 5/4/21]

Bloomberg Law: Drug Pricing Bill Could Be Added to Infrastructure, Pallone Says. “Rep. Frank Pallone, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, says he’s open to including Democrats’ signature drug-pricing negotiation bill in the party’s economic and infrastructure package. Pallone tells reporters he’s ‘going to use whatever vehicle I can to get this done.’” [Bloomberg Law, 5/4/21]

NJ Spotlight News: Pallone Pushes Legislation Aimed at Lowering Prescription Drug Prices. “On Tuesday, Rep. Frank Pallone called on Congress and the Biden administration to make cutting the cost of prescription drugs a top priority. Promoting his reintroduced legislation, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act — which stalled after passing in the House in 2019 — Pallone (D-6th) said the legislation would allow the federal government to negotiate prescription prices for Medicare based on the cost of the same pharmaceutical drugs in other western nations.” [NJ Spotlight News, 5/4/21]

CBS 3 Philly: NJ Congressman Hosts Virtual Call Calling On Congress To Lower Prescription Drug Prices. “In April, the Congressman reintroduced a bill in congress that he says will lower prescription prices [CBS 3 Philly, 5/4/21]

Insider NJ: Pallone and Local Health Advocates Call on Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Prices for New Jerseyans. “In 2019, House Democrats passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs — the single most effective measure to bring down drug prices. In April, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug costs, and meet the demands of voters.” [Insider NJ, 5/4/21]