CAPD Statement on House Passage of H.R. 3
Debra Barrett, Executive Director of the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs, released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act:
“Americans have called on Congress to act on high drug prices, and we applaud policymakers for prioritizing this issue as evidenced by today’s vote in the House of Representatives. Specifically, we are encouraged by provisions to foster greater competition in the marketplace. We also support how the bill shifts some of the burden of high drug costs off of beneficiaries and taxpayers and onto the drug manufacturers who set drug prices to begin with.
“CAPD has long supported the creation of an out-of-pocket maximum for Part D beneficiaries to provide cost predictability for seniors and the program. However, reforms on these out-of-pocket maximums should also be coupled with policies that give Part D plans and benefit administrators the tools and continued flexibility they need to provide sustainable benefit options.
“As Congress continues to move forward on this important issue, we urge them to focus their efforts on addressing the root of the problem: the high prices that drug companies set. We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers to pass meaningful reform that lowers drug prices for millions of American patients.”