AARP NY Leaders in DC Calling on Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

WASHINGTON, D.C. - AARP New York leaders joined dozens of AARP state directors and volunteers from across the country in Washington, D.C. this week to urge federal lawmakers to pass legislation to lower prescription drug prices.

“The average annual cost of prescription drug treatment grew 57.8% between 2012 and 2017, while the annual income for a New Yorker only increased 11.5%,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “This week, we’re calling called on New York’s members of Congress to enact popular, bipartisan, commonsense solutions that will provide long overdue relief not just for older adults, but all Americans. It’s time to address the root cause of the problem: the outrageously high list prices set by drug manufacturers.”

Leaders from 33 AARP state offices met with lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, including Senator Charles Schumer and Reps. Tom Suozzi (NY3) and Max Rose (NY11), as well as aides to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Reps. Eliot Engel (NY15), Antonio Delgado (NY19) Anthony Brindisi (NY22), and Paul Tonko (NY20), urging their vote for federal legislation to lower drug prices.

AARP has said four principles need to be included in any bill: a cap on out-of-pocket costs for seniors, a crackdown on drug prices and price increases, an increase in competition, and greater transparency.

In addition, AARP New York is pursuing a range of state legislative and policy reforms to address the high price of prescription drugs, including safe importation of lower-cost drugs, stronger prosecution for price gouging, and disclosure of deals in which brand name drug makers “pay to delay” the availability of cheaper generics.

Also, the state legislature this year passed an AARP-backed bill to prevent increases in out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for health plan enrollees in the middle of a contract year. The bill must still go to Governor Andrew Cuomo before it can be signed into law.

To learn more about AARP’s state and federal efforts to lower prescription drug prices, visit www.aarp.org/rx.

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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.