Today, the House of Representatives passed the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), a landmark bill that delivers on the promise Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats made to lower prescription drug costs for Americans. Every Democrat voted for the bill, as well as two Republicans. Coverage of the bill’s passage emphasized the significance of this sweeping legislation that finally gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, the most effective measure to lower costs.
New York Times: House Votes To Give The Government The Power To Negotiate Drug Prices. [New York Times, 12/12/19]
Wall Street Journal: House Passes Bill To Reduce Drug Prices. [Wall Street Journal, 12/12/19]
POLITICO: House Passes Bill Requiring Drug Price Negotiations. [POLITICO, 12/12/19]
The Hill: House Passes Sweeping Pelosi Bill To Lower Drug Prices. [The Hill, 12/12/19]
Reuters: Democrat-Led U.S. House Passes Bill To Lower Drug Prices. [Reuters, 12/12/19]
CNBC: House Passes Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Drug Pricing Bill. [CNBC, 12/12/19]
Vox: The House Just Passed An Ambitious Bill To Lower Prescription Drug Prices. [Vox, 12/12/19]
Washington Examiner: House Passes Pelosi Drug Pricing Bill In Bid To Show Democratic Priorities Beyond Impeachment. [Washington Examiner, 12/12/19]
Democrats Were United In Praising H.R. 3, And Called Out Their Republican Colleagues For Voting Against The Bill And Siding With Big Pharma:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12): “BREAKING: House Republicans chose to keep prescription drug prices soaring — siding with big drug corporations and forcing Americans to continue paying astronomical prices. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Nancy Pelosi Twitter, 12/12/19]
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-05): “POTUS said he wants to negotiate the cost of Rx drugs, and that is what #HR3 will do — allow Medicare to negotiate & #LowerDrugCosts for those on Medicare & with private insurance. I urge the Senate to take up this bill and send it to the President’s desk for his signature.” [Leader Hoyer Twitter, 12/12/19]
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez: “Democrats are keeping our promises to the American people. Your turn, Mitch. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Chairman Perez Twitter, 12/12/19]
Ways & Means Chairman Richard Neal (MA-01): “I am thrilled to see that @HouseDemocrats were able to pass #HR3, the #LowerDrugCosts Now Act to: 1. bring down the cost of prescription drugs, 2. level the playing field for American patients, 3. invest in research for treatment and cures.” [Chairman Neal Twitter, 12/12/19]
Education & Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03): “By passing H.R. 3, @HouseDemocrats are delivering on our promise to provide the American people long-awaited relief from skyrocketing prescription drug costs. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act is a historic achievement on behalf of the American people. #LowerDrugCostsNow.” [Chairman Scott Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03): “The #LowerDrugCostsNow Act JUST PASSED THE HOUSE. New Mexico families shouldn’t have to choose between making ends meet and affording their prescriptions. I was incredibly proud to vote for this transformative legislation that will help keep our communities healthy.” [Rep. Lujan Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03): “Every week, I hear from Iowans about their struggles paying for prescription drugs. Today, I voted to do something about it. #HR3: caps out-of-pocket costs for our seniors, allows Medicare to negotiate prices, cuts red tape thanks to my amendment.” [Rep. Axne Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02): “Today, I proudly voted for the Elijah E. Cummings #LowerDrugCostsNowAct, to lower prescription drug costs for hard working Minnesotans in #MN02.” [Rep. Craig Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01): “The House just passed my amendment to the #LowerDrugCosts Now Act, which ensures vets have access to lower drug prices negotiated by this bill. The hard-earned dollars Americans put towards caring for our vets should be spent on veterans—not on lining the pockets of big pharma.” [Rep. Cunningham Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03): “The Lower Drug Costs Now Act PASSED the House. Proud to join my colleagues in passing this bill to provide real relief for Kansas families at the pharmacy counter. Now it’s time for the Senate to finally stand up to Big Pharma and do the same.” [Rep. Davids Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Abby Finkenauer (IA-01): “From roundtables in Dubuque and Waterloo, we have heard about the true cost of high drug prices for families across #IA01. Today, I proudly voted yes on historic reforms that put people over big pharma.” [Rep. Finkenauer Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04): “I just left the House floor where I voted for #HR3 to #LowerDrugCosts! It’s time to: Protect American patients from paying exorbitant prices, Expand Medicare benefits to include dental, vision, & hearing, Encourage investment in research, Put patients over pharma profits!” [Rep. Horsford Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03): “No group of Nevadans relies more on prescription drugs than our seniors. My provision in the historic #LowerDrugCosts Now Act will help seniors on Medicare save money and afford their medication.” [Rep. Lee Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Elaine Luria (VA-02): “Today, I voted for landmark legislation that would lower prescription drug costs for hundreds of thousands of Coastal Virginians. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act is an overdue bill that will ease the financial burdens of hardworking families while funding groundbreaking research. I urge Senate to make life-saving prescription drugs more affordable for all Americans by passing the Lower Drug Costs Now Act.” [Rep. Luria Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04): “Today, the House passed #HR3 to #LowerDrugCosts and reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses for millions of Americans. The bill expands the services Medicare covers & addresses the skyrocketing cost of prescriptions. Now it’s up to the Senate & @senatemajldr to act. #ForThePeople.” [Rep. McCollum Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): “Proud to support historic legislation to drive down prescription drug costs for New Hampshire. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take action and pass a bill we can send to the President’s desk for signature. America is counting on us.” [Rep. Pappas Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09): “So, Mitch McConnell, now it’s your move to #LowerDrugCostsNow, @SenateMajLdr. Meanwhile, we’ll keep fighting #ForThePeople to ensure every person has access to affordable medication. #YourMoveMitch.” [Rep. Schakowsky Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07): “Lawmakers beholden to the pharmaceutical lobby have long refused to act on the unbearable drug costs plaguing Americans. Today, I voted to pass #HR3 because I know the hard choices #VA07 residents have to make to be able to afford medications they need.” [Rep. Spanberger Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11): “As part of #HR3, the House just passed my bill to lower drug costs for low-income seniors by improving the Medicare Part D assignment system! The Maximizing Drug Coverage for Low-Income Seniors Act could lead to big cost savings for seniors on Medicare.” [Rep. Stevens Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01): “Nevadans constantly tell me that prescription drug prices are out of control. That’s why I just voted to pass the #LowerDrugCosts Now Act. The nonpartisan @USCBO says it will save taxpayers $500 billion over the next ten years. Senator McConnell should immediately hold a vote.” [Rep. Titus Twitter, 12/12/19]
Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07): “#HR3 JUST PASSED THE HOUSE! People are dying because our system puts profits over their health — we will not let it continue. The #LowerDrugCostsNowAct will bring down the costs of prescriptions and make a true difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians.” [Rep. Wild Twitter, 12/12/19]