Statement of Retiree Leader Richard Fiesta on President Trump Reneging on Prescription Drug Negotiation Promise

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- The Alliance for Retired Americans issued the following statement by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans as Donald Trump reneged on his promise to let Medicare negotiate bulk discounts for the prices it pays for prescription drugs:

"During his campaign Donald Trump promised that if elected, Medicare would negotiate bulk discounts and reduce the prices Americans pay for prescription drugs.

"Donald Trump is now accusing Medicare of 'price-fixing.' It took just one meeting with global pharmaceutical corporation executives and his promise to older Americans is out the window. Welcome to the chameleon presidency.

"Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world. President Trump's reversal will drive those prices even higher. He has sided with drug corporations against older Americans who have to choose between putting food on their table and paying for life-saving medicines.

"On behalf of the 4.4 million members of the Alliance for Retired Americans, we are outraged but not surprised. We challenge him to meet with retirees who struggle daily to pay for medicine that too many times they can't afford - and not just listen to multi-millionaire drug corporation executives. The Trump Administration will not be able to use its 'alternative facts' to wiggle out of this betrayal."

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