Congressman Harley Rouda Votes to Bring Down Prescription Drug Prices | Representative Harley Rouda

Congressman Harley Rouda Votes to Bring Down Prescription Drug Prices

December 12, 2019
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rouda voted to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which would help bring down the cost of prescription drugs and level the playing field for American patients who are paying more for their medicines than patients in other countries.

This bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate directly with drug companies. The legislation would make the lower drug prices negotiated by HHS available to Americans with private insurance, not just Medicare beneficiaries. It also creates a new $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries.

Said Rouda, "Orange County families, especially senior citizens, are declaring bankruptcy because of astronomical prescription drug prices. As taxpayers - we provide billions of dollars in funding that lead to medical breakthroughs. Instead of getting a discount, Americans are being upcharged for the life-saving prescription drugs we helped develop. H.R. 3 prohibits drug companies from charging us more than other countries for the exact same medications while protecting the medical innovation that makes America great."

In California’s 48th congressional district, there are 111,210 people enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan and 527,573 people enrolled in private health insurance – all of whom stand to benefit from H.R. 3. For example, those living with cancer, arthritis, asthma, HIV/AIDS, or multiple sclerosis are expected to experience significant savings as a result of H.R.3:

  • Patients living with breast cancer: In 2019, an estimated 27,000 women in California will be diagnosed with breast cancer. H.R. 3 can lower the average total cost of the breast cancer medication Ibrance by 65%.
  • Patients living with leukemia: In 2019, an estimated 6,030 people in California will be diagnosed with leukemia. H.R. 3 can lower the average total cost of the leukemia medication Tasigna by 71%.
  • Patients living with prostate cancer: In 2019, an estimated 24,550 people in California will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. H.R. 3 can lower the average total cost of the prostate cancer medication Zytiga by 66%.
  • Patients with arthritis: 18.3% of California residents have arthritis, and H.R. 3 can lower their total costs on most arthritis drugs from about $40,000 to $10,000 per year.
  • Patients with asthma: About 7.9% of California residents live with asthma, and H.R. 3 can lower their total costs on most asthma drugs from about $1,400 to $270 per year.
  • Patients with HIV/AIDS: In 2015, 4,495 California residents were diagnosed with HIV, and H.R. 3 can lower their total costs on most HIV drugs from about $15,000 to $6,000 per year.
  • Patients with MS: One million people are living with MS in the United States, and H.R. 3 can lower their total costs on most MS drugs from about $40,000 to $13,000 per year.

 

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