Sen. Murray Issues Remarks on President Trump’s Drug Pricing Blueprint
In her remarks,
"As a candidate,
" ...instead of giving those families a clear plan to address the issue,
"As a candidate,
"Despite his claim that he was QUOTE 'very much eliminating the middlemen,' this proposal to shift payments from Medicare Part B to Part D would have the opposite effect--empowering the companies he calls middlemen, without any data to suggest it will bring down prices for patients."
"I was surprised by the misleading decision to list 'updating Medicare's drug pricing dashboard' as an 'immediate action' since the dashboard was something the
"I also raised my eyebrows reading the section on so-called accomplishments in which the Administration brags about the proposals it included in its latest budge... despite the fact that the Budget is only a proposal--not a policy that's been enacted. Mr. Secretary, that's like saying you've served dinner when you've only written a grocery list. And in this case, most of the ingredients on this list are for a big nothing-burger."
"I've heard from families across
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"Thank you
"As a candidate,
"And while the Administration hyped its drug pricing plan as a big step forward to address this broken promise--it's very clearly not. In fact, when
"Meanwhile, too many families in
"But instead of giving those families a clear plan to address the issue,
"And it left me asking some questions too--for example, where are all the big, bold ideas?
"Ideas like negotiating drug prices through Medicare--something
"And yet, this plan doesn't include that idea or any ideas that would really change the situation for patients struggling to afford the drugs they need. As with so many other issues,
"But not only did
"Despite his claim that he was QUOTE 'very much eliminating the middlemen,' this proposal to shift payments from Medicare Part B to Part D would have the opposite effect--empowering the companies he calls middlemen, without any data to suggest it will bring down prices for patients.
"And while the big takeaway from this proposal is how little the
"For example, I was surprised by the misleading decision to list 'updating Medicare's drug pricing dashboard' as an 'immediate action' since the dashboard was something the
"As a former preschool teacher, I can tell you that even our youngest students know you can't simply turn in someone else's work, months late, incomplete, and expect to get extra credit for it.
"I also raised my eyebrows reading the section on so-called accomplishments in which the Administration brags about the proposals it included in its latest budget, despite the fact that it was an absolutely partisan nonstarter, despite the fact that many of the policies won't do a thing for patients, and despite the fact that the Budget is only a proposal--not a policy that's been enacted.
"Mr. Secretary, that's like saying you've served dinner when you've only written a grocery list. And in this case, most of the ingredients on this list are for a big nothing-burger.
"The few exceptions are ideas that
"For example, the idea of requiring drug ads to include prices.
"Or the idea of requiring pharmacy benefit managers to pass rebates along to patients.
"Or the idea of preventing generic drug manufacturers from gaming the
"So I'm particularly curious what my Republican colleagues think about our ideas now--and whether they are ready to join us at the table.
"There are policies in the Blueprint with which
"I've heard from families across
"In fact, two out of every five families can't afford a
"Families can't afford to keep waiting for a real plan--which is why
"And, I also want to take a moment to note that accountability for drug companies isn't just about drug prices.
"
"Finally, I want to express my alarm and outrage at the
"Mr. Secretary, I am deeply concerned about the children impacted by these separations and the crisis this is creating in your Department, so I want to be clear that I have questions for you about that.
"Thank you."
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