Piscataway, NJ — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) held a press conference in Piscataway today with local elected officials and health care advocates to highlight provisions in the Build Back Better Act that will lower prescription drug costs and make health care more affordable and accessible.
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Pallone spearheaded House passage of key provisions in the Build Back Better Act this month. The bill finally empowers the federal government to negotiate lower drug costs for seniors, caps what seniors pay for their drugs in Medicare Part D, and helps older Americans access affordable hearing care by expanding Medicare coverage. The bill allows the federal government to negotiate insulin prices and lowers those prices to no more than $35 a month for Americans with diabetes. The Build Back Better Act also extends Affordable Care Act premium tax credit enhancements that make health care more affordable for millions of Americans.
“At a time when American families are struggling to make ends meet, the Build Back Better Act builds on our efforts to make health care more affordable and accessible for everyone. We pay more for prescription drugs than any other country in the world, and as a result too many New Jerseyans do not take their medications as prescribed,” said Pallone. “The Build Back Better Act makes prescription drugs more affordable by finally giving Medicare the ability to negotiate lower drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. Seniors will also pay no more than $2,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs for their drugs, and the legislation penalizes Big Pharma companies that unfairly raise prices. The bill also provides, for the first time, comprehensive hearing benefits under Medicare Part B. With House passage of this historic bill, we are one step closer to getting it to President Biden’s desk.”
“Enabling grandparents to live close to their grandchildren is a priority of families and a priority of Piscataway,” said Mayor Brian C. Wahler. “That is why I am thrilled with the game-changing health care provisions of the Build Back Better bill for seniors on a budget. In our Township with dedicated affordable housing, a free Senior Center, and low cost for our Community Center, retirement in Central New Jersey is being realized by many elderly residents. With lower drug costs and expanding Medicare under this bill, even more retirees will be able to enjoy their golden years in New Jersey and live rewarding lives alongside their families.”
“An overwhelming majority of 50-plus voters want Congress to allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices,” said AARP NJ State Director Stephanie Hunsinger. “We applaud the members of Congress who stood up to Big Pharma to reduce prescription drug costs in the Build Back Better legislation. Now we urge the Senate to take up the legislation and move toward a vote quickly. Our seniors need relief from their skyrocketing prescription drug prices now. Senators, it’s time to stand with seniors, not Pharma.”
“Build Back Better will have a transformative impact on the health and well-being of children, seniors, patients and working families for generations to come. It extends more affordable health coverage available to millions, makes the Children’s Health Insurance Program--which will expand to cover all kids in New Jersey--permanent, lowers the price of prescription drugs, and provides other critical supports like child tax credits, child care, education and housing assistance,” said Maura Collingsgru, Health Care Program Director, New Jersey Citizen Action. “We applaud Congressman Pallone for his key role in the reforms that will help lower Rx drug prices and express our heartfelt thanks to all New Jersey delegation members who gave their unwavering support to this bill. We urge our Senators to follow their example and pass this bill in its entirety as soon as possible."
“One of my prescriptions made a remarkable difference on my quality of life but because of its steep price, I had to make the difficult decision to stop taking the drug completely,” said Lisa Ann Trainor, a patient advocate who suffers from a chronic illness and shared her story about how high prescription drug costs have impacted her and her family. “The Build Back Better Act includes important reforms to our broken drug pricing system that would help patients like me afford the medication we need. It is time for the Senate to act quickly and pass the Build Back Better Act. So many New Jerseyans are suffering right now. We don’t have time to wait.”
Click HERE for a fact sheet on key provisions in the Build Back Better Act that came out of Pallone’s Energy and Commerce Committee.
Original source can be found here.
