Rep. Cisneros Votes in Support of Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act

WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Rep. Gilbert Cisneros, D-California, issued the following news release:

Today, Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) voted in support of H.R. 987, Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. This is the second bill package passed by the House focused on healthcare.

"I am proud to cast my vote in favor of Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, a bill to ensure all Americans have access to affordable quality health insurance they deserve," said Rep. Cisneros. "The President's healthcare policies have led to the highest uninsured rate in four years--insurance premiums and the cost of prescription drugs continue to rise under this Administration. We cannot keep trending towards this direction as individuals with pre-existing health conditions and families in underserved communities continue to suffer. The passage of this bill represents our commitment to protecting the Affordable Care Act and lowering prescription drug prices for everyday Americans. I will continue to fight alongside my colleagues to fix our health care market because everyone deserves access to affordable quality healthcare."

"Our patient population suffers from chronic diseases that requires a cabinet of medications and their costs are burdensome," said Esen Sainz, the Director of Policy and Government Affairs at the Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers. "There are many steps we need to take as a nation to achieve accessible affordable healthcare for all, and lowering drug costs is one of them. We are encouraged by Congress's action to tackle prescription drug pricing, and applaud Rep. Cisneros for voting in favor of HR 987. We hope that with legislation such as this one, families no longer have to make sacrifices and struggle just to afford their medication."

With prescription drugs rapidly rising in cost and the expansion of junk short-term, limited-duration insurance plants that discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, H.R. 987 aims to enable more affordable generic prescription drugs to come to market sooner and lower costs for affordable quality healthcare by making key investments in targeted states.

Rep. Cisneros is a cosponsor of H.R. 987 and the bill will now be referred to the Senate.