Senators Stabenow and Peters join AARP Michigan In Favor of Lowering Prescription Drug Prices

For media inquiries: Cathleen Simlar

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters joined AARP Michigan State Director Paula D. Cunningham virtually to call upon Congress to lower prescription drug prices. During the event, AARP Michigan delivered a petition signed by 174,054 Michiganders calling for Congress to act now and stop unfair drug prices. 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 174,054 here in Michigan, are joining AARP to demand lower prices for prescription drugs.” said Paula D. Cunningham, AARP Michigan State Director. “There will never be a better time to lower drug prices than this historic opportunity in front of Congress. Now is the  time to get it done.”

“Americans pay the highest drug prices in the world and there is no excuse for this! These costs are taking an extraordinary financial and physical toll on our seniors in Michigan. In 2019, over 3.5 million seniors in America struggled to afford their prescription drugs,” said Senator Stabenow. “It doesn’t have to be this way. We can help make sure seniors can afford the prescription drugs they need while strengthening life-saving innovations in health care.”

“I stand with Michiganders in the fight to lower the costs of prescription drugs and am grateful to have partners like the AARP and Senator Stabenow,” said Senator Peters. “Michiganders shouldn’t have to choose between filling their prescriptions or paying for their basic living expenses. We must continue working to reign in the outrageous costs of life-saving drugs: from holding prescription drug companies accountable—to allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices for seniors—and bringing more low-cost, generic medications to the market.”

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 Congress to act on the issue, with 70% saying it is very important. The survey also found that 87% of voters support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.

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