AARP Arizona and Senator Mark Kelly Speak Out About Need for Lower Prescription Drug Prices

Four Million Americans, Including Arizonans Signed AARP Petition Calling on the Senate and Congress to Act

PHOENIX, Arizona—AARP has called for fair drug prices for years and supports legislation that passed the House in November, which would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, put a cap on out-of-pocket costs that older adults pay for their prescription drugs and impose penalties on drug companies that raise prices faster than the rate of inflation.

“Americans are fed up with paying three times what people in other countries pay for the same drugs. More than four million people across the country, including 113,709 here in Arizona, are joining AARP to demand lower prices for prescription drugs,” said Dana Marie Kennedy, “We thank Senator Mark Kelly for hosting a hearing on prescription drugs and including AARP.  We appreciate all that Senator Kelly has been doing to lower Rx prices and allowing Medicare to negotiate pricing.  There will never be a better time to lower drug prices than the historic opportunity in front of the Senate and Congress. Now it’s time to get it done!”

Lowering prescription drug prices has widespread support among voters, regardless of their party affiliation. An AARP survey of voters found that strong majorities of voters want the Senate and Congress to act on the issue, with 89% saying it is very important. The survey also found that 94% of voters support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.

“Seniors shouldn’t have to choose between groceries and their life-saving medication. It’s why I’ve supported a bill to cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 and negotiated a plan to lower prescription drug costs for Arizona seniors. And I was glad to welcome AARP Arizona, our partner in this effort, to speak at our recent Senate hearing on rising prescription drug costs. Our plan would allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices, cap yearly out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 for seniors on Medicare Part D, and prevent drug companies from price gouging. I’ll continue working with Republicans and Democrats to get our plan to lower the price of prescription drugs across the finish line. Arizona's seniors cannot – and should not – wait any longer,” said Senator Mark Kelly.

More information about AARP’s Fair Drug Prices campaign can be found at aarp.org/rx.