U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on April 21 led more than two dozen of her Republican colleagues in introducing sweeping legislation to reform Medicare and decrease prescription drug prices without sacrificing innovation of new cures and treatments.
“This legislation is about building on the progress we’ve made with 21st Century Cures to help bring more generic drugs to market faster, make insulin more affordable for our loved ones, lower out-of-pocket spending for seniors, boost access to new medicines and cures, and bring much-needed transparency to drug pricing,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said.
Rep. McMorris Rodgers sponsored the Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2021, H.R. 19, as an alternative to the House Democrats’ drug pricing bill, which Republicans argue would stifle innovation and continue America’s reliance on China.
“This is a real, results-driven alternative to House Democrats’ plans to use the heavy hand of government to set drug prices and stifle innovation,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “Partisan policy on drug pricing will only set America back and reduce the number of life-saving cures that come to market.”
If enacted, H.R. 19 would place an overall cap on prescription drug spending in Medicare Part D, as well as a cap on spending for insulin and related supplies at $50 a month after senior citizens hit their deductible, according to bill summaries provided by Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ office.
Among numerous provisions, H.R. 19 also would cut the cost of cancer treatment and other drug administration for Medicare beneficiaries by as much as half; protect access to biological products; and allow insurers in Part D to offer additional plan options if they shared some of the insulin rebate savings with seniors at the point-of-sale, thereby incentivizing them to do so, according to the summaries.
“Thanks to American ingenuity and innovation, we are on the verge of some amazing breakthroughs,” the congresswoman said. “The Lower Costs, More Cures Act is an important step towards helping millions of people battling diseases every single day.”
Among the 25 members who signed on as original cosponsors of H.R. 19 are U.S. Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Andy Barr (R-KY), Bob Latta (R-OH), Tom Rice (R-SC), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH).