wATCH: BUSTOS SPEAKS ON HOUSE FLOOR URGING PASSAGE OF THE LOWER DRUG COSTS NOW ACT
In case you missed it: yesterday evening, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) took constituent stories to the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to stress the importance of lowering prescription drugs prices by passing the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. The House is expected to take up the vote soon.
You can see more on the Lower Drug Costs Now Act HERE, watch Congresswoman Bustos’ speech HERE and read her prepared remarks below:
Madam Speaker,
I rise today in support of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act.
Too many hardworking families and seniors in Illinois can’t afford the rising costs of prescription drugs. We must rein in outrageous prices. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this bill.
When I walk the supermarket aisles back home and talk to folks about what’s on their mind – or review the notes people take the time to write to my office – the stories are shocking.
In Stronghurst, one woman’s medication spiked from $23 to $98… That’s more than a 300 percent increase for no apparent reason.
In Andalusia, another person’s insulin jumped from $365 to $538…. Every single month. That’s about $2,100 more every year.
And, several counties away, in Pekin, a senior is facing costs for his insulin skyrocketing from $333 to $830 per month. That’s about a 150 percent increase. Again. No explanation.
We must do more to make prescription drugs more affordable and lift this unfair burden on families…
This bill would do just that.
I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting it.
Because when folks walk out of the doctor’s office, they shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can afford to fill a prescription.
I yield back.
Background
In addition to pushing for the passage of the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Congresswoman Bustos and the House Democratic majority have passed more than ten bills to lower health care costs and drive down the outrageous price of prescription drugs. In particular, they have passed legislation out of the House that would enable more affordable prescription drugs to get to the market sooner, reverse the White House’s sabotage of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enrollment efforts and crack down on junk insurance plans that refuse to cover pre-existing conditions and raise costs for consumers.
In November, Congresswoman Bustos held two roundtable discussions to engage community leaders on this issue. Those conversations were held in Peoria and Rockford, and also highlighted open enrollment for the ACA.
Congresswoman Bustos also urges Illinoisans who receive their coverage through the individual market to review their health insurance options during the annual health exchange’s open enrollment period. Open enrollment lasts until December 15th. Illinoisans can find the best coverage for them by visiting GetCovered.Illinois.Gov or HealthCare.Gov.
***Report Courtesy of the Office of Congresswoman Bustos***
