WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – There are efforts to limit out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.
“The cost of prescription drugs is too high,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
Gillibrand says it’s a bitter pill for people in her state to swallow when it comes to being able to afford their prescription drugs.
“Our voters are literally faced with the decision of whether to pay for food or medicine,” Gillibrand said.
To counteract this, she introduced a bill to cap annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs: $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families.
“If these caps were passed, they would apply to both group health plans and marketplace health plans,” Gillibrand said.
Gillibrand also supports legislation that would bring drug prices in the United States into line with those in Canada.
“It’s annoying. People in Buffalo have to pay twice or three times as much whether they buy it a mile inside or outside the U.S.,” Gillibrand said.
“Oh, absolutely. I’m for it,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).
Hawley supports caps on prescription drugs and has introduced his own bill that he says will go a step further.
“The prices that the major pharmaceutical companies charge for their drugs in France, Germany and Canada are the same, and they will also apply in the United States,” Hawley said.
Hawley also believes that there is no reason for Americans to suffer from what he sees as unfair pricing.
“I’m in favor of any approach that makes progress here. I just think the cost of prescription drugs is outrageously high,” Hawley said.
Gillibrand and Hawley are bullish that Republicans and Democrats can reach an agreement on this issue.
