TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE EDUCATION AND LABOR COMMITTEE ON “Lower Drug Costs Now: Expanding Access to Affordable Health Care”

In this May 5, 2021 testimony before the House Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Frederick Isasi, Executive Director at Families USA, discusses how high prescription drug costs are wreaking havoc on families’ health and financial well-being, and the critical need for nationwide reform.

Skyrocketing prescription drug prices impact people across America, with nearly three in ten adults – approximately 80 million people – deciding to not take required medicine due to cost. And approximately one in five choosing to forgo essential medications altogether because they can’t afford to fill their prescription.

The testimony highlights a proposed solution, H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which, if enacted, will significantly improve the affordability of prescription drugs for consumers and produce substantial savings in the Medicare Program. And it also provides actionable recommendations to the Committee in order to improve and strengthen the bill.

Finally, Mr. Isasi, reminds Congress that they created this problem by giving pharmaceutical companies the monopolies that they abuse, and implores them to listen to the American people who are asking for change and support a comprehensive solution.