AARP Maryland Applauds House Passage of Rx Affordability Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 12, 2019

CONTACT:
Nancy Carr, 443-787-5382, ncarr@aarp.org, @AARPMd

AARP Maryland Applauds the House for Passing the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act

BALTIMORE —Today AARP Maryland State President Jim Campbell released the following statement applauding Reps. Hoyer, Brown, Raskin, Ruppersberger Sarbanes and Trone of the U.S. House of Representatives for voting to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act.

“AARP Maryland commends Reps. Hoyer, Brown, Raskin, Ruppersberger Sarbanes and Trone for helping pass the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation is a bold step toward lowering prescription drug prices and high out-of-pocket costs for millions of older Americans, including our 870,000 members in Maryland.

“H.R. 3 would allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, set an annual out-of-pocket cap for seniors in Medicare Part D, and crack down on relentless drug price increases by pharmaceutical companies. In addition, the $500 billion that the Congressional Budget Office estimates taxpayers will save over the next 10 years would be reinvested back into the Medicare program to create important new dental, hearing and vision benefits. These benefits would improve older adults’ health and well-being and reduce future health care costs.

“High drug prices disproportionately hurt older Americans, particularly Medicare Part D enrollees, who take between four and five prescription medications each month and have an average annual income of just over $26,000 a year. The average annual price of a specialty drug used on a chronic basis is now $79,000. Medications cannot work if they are unaffordable."

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.