AARP New Jersey Urges State Senate to Pass S1066 to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

AARP New Jersey Urges State Senate to Pass S1066 to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

AARP and Consumer Advocates Provide Testimony Calling on Lawmakers to Establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in New Jersey

Statement from AARP New Jersey Associate State Director of Advocacy Crystal McDonald 

NEW BRUNSWICK (Dec. 7, 2020) – “On behalf of AARP’s nearly 1.3 million Garden State members, AARP New Jersey called on lawmakers today to enact S1066 to lower prescription drug prices by establishing a  New Jersey Prescription Drug Affordability Board.

“S1066 is a bold step forward in the long-overdue effort to address the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs in New Jersey. The board would be an independent body that would evaluate drug prices and set limits on how much certain payers, including state agencies, will pay for high price prescription medications.

“AARP applauds Senator Troy Singleton for championing this critical legislation, along with Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Senator Linda Greenstein.

“Too many Garden State residents are forced to choose between filling life-saving prescriptions and paying rent, buying food and meeting other critical needs. And now, New Jerseyans are facing the one-two punch of skyrocketing drug prices and the pandemic. Yet drug companies continue to make billions off seniors and taxpayers.

“There is no good reason New Jerseyans, indeed, all Americans should continue to pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world. A Prescription Drug Affordability Board will help ensure pricing decisions are reasonable, justified and support improved consumer access and affordability. According to an AARP survey, across party affiliation, more than eight in ten New Jersey voters support the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to look closely at prices. Now it’s time for our Legislature to support a Prescription Drug Affordability Board by passing S1066.

“We thank Chairman Joe Vitale and members of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee for holding today’s hearing. AARP looks forward to working with the Legislature and the Governor to lower prescription drug prices for all consumers.

###

About AARP New Jersey 
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP New Jersey educates and advocates on behalf of those 50 and older on issues that are important to them, their families and to all Garden State residents. The organization works to strengthen New Jersey communities with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfilment. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/nj or follow @AARPNJ on social media.