| NEW JERSEY — Rep. Tom Malinowski joined 20 frontline House Democrats in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, urging the Senate to advance a reconciliation bill that includes meaningful prescription drug reforms to bring relief to the millions of Americans who struggle to afford the high costs of their medications. The letter notes that all 50 Senate Democrats have publicly endorsed reforms, including capping the cost of insulin at $35 per month, limiting out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare D at $2,000 per year, and giving Medicare the authority to negotiate the price of certain prescription drugs.
The full text of the letter:
May 19, 2022
Dear Leader Schumer and Chairman Wyden:
We write today to urge you to move a reconciliation bill as soon as possible that will provide meaningful relief to those who rely on life-saving prescription drugs. That bill should include the deficit-reducing reforms passed by the House last fall specifically: limiting the cost of insulin at $35 per month, capping out of pocket costs for seniors in Medicare Part D at $2,000 per year, penalizing drug corporations that raise prices faster than the rate of inflation, and, critically, granting Medicare the authority to negotiate the prices of certain drugs. These provisions not only have widespread support among our constituents, but they also have been publicly endorsed by all fifty Democratic members of the U.S. Senate.
We represent the most competitive districts in Congress. Just like you, we were sent to Washington on the promise that we’d tackle big issues and work to improve the lives of those we represent. And what issue do we hear about at every town hall? At every event? The price of prescription drugs.
Our constituents are struggling. Gas and grocery prices are up. Inflation concerns are real. Let’s ease those concerns by making life-saving prescriptions more affordable, for everyone. This is even more urgent given that we’ve already seen drug prices increase earlier this year and likely will rise again as part of Big Pharma’s tradition of hiking prices twice per year in both January and July.
We’ve promised to take on Big Pharma’s price gouging for years. Let’s make good on this promise. We have the votes and, more importantly, we have the backing of the American people – Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Susan Wild, Member of Congress
Sharice L. Davids, Member of Congress
Katie Porter, Member of Congress
Tom Malinowski, Member of Congress
Marcy Kaptur, Member of Congress
Jennifer Wexton, Member of Congress
Daniel T. Kildee, Member of Congress
Kathy Manning, Member of Congress
Cynthia Axne, Member of Congress
Dina Titus, Member of Congress
Matt Cartwright, Member of Congress
Steven Horsford, Member of Congress
Abigail Davis Spanberger, Member of Congress
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Member of Congress
Chris Pappas, Member of Congress
Susie Lee, Member of Congress
Elissa Slotkin, Member of Congress
Angie Craig, Member of Congress
Jahana Hayes, Member of Congress
Bill Foster, Member of Congress
Read the letter here. |
