Burgess sponsors wide-ranging bill to lower drug prices, extend public health programs

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) on May 14 introduced a bill to incentivize low-cost drug options and generic competition.

Rep. Burgess is the sponsor of the Lowering Prescription Drug Costs and Extending Community Health Centers and Other Public Health Priorities Act, H.R. 2700, which also would provide extensions for community health centers and the National Health Service Corps, according to the congressional record.

“This legislation includes common-sense, bipartisan measures to lower drug prices for the American people,” said Rep. Burgess, the Republican leader of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. “Combined, these drug policies save nearly $5 billion, but House Democrats have decided to use those savings to pay for political efforts to stabilize Obamacare that will be dead on arrival should they reach the Senate.”

H.R. 2700 is supported by 29 Republican cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR), Fred Upton (R-MI), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Billy Long (R-MO), Bill Flores (R-TX), John Shimkus (R-IL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Bob Latta (R-OH), Doug Collins (R-GA), Steve Scalise (R-LA), Steve Stivers (R-OH), French Hill (R-AR) and Paul Mitchell (R-MI).

If enacted, the sweeping H.R. 2700 would lower prescription drug costs by bringing low-cost options and competition while keeping incentives for new generics; change conditions of first generic exclusivity to spur access and competition; protect consumer access to generic drugs; and create and restore equal access to equivalent samples, among other provisions in the bill.

Additionally, H.R. 2700 would extend public health programs that also include those for special diabetes programs, family-to-family health information centers, and sexual risk avoidance education and personal responsibility education programs, according to the text of the bill.

“While Democrats say that lowering drug prices and promoting public health programs are priorities, their actions tell a different story,” Rep. Burgess pointed out. “Instead of continuing to play politics with our health care, I encourage all members to support this legislation that can deliver lower drug prices and access to quality health care for the American people.”

H.R. 2700 has been referred to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for consideration.