Van Hollen: Trump Backtracks on Promise to Reduce Drug Prices for Seniors and Families

January 31, 2017

Contact: Bridgett Frey - 202-228-0668

Van Hollen: Trump Backtracks on Promise to Reduce Drug Prices for Seniors and Families

Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement about reports that, following a meeting with pharmaceutical companies, President Trump has dropped his campaign promise to let Medicare negotiate bulk discounts in the price it pays for prescription drugs:

"President Trump campaigned on the promise that he would fight for working families and take on special interests. Yet at every turn, he has broken that promise to the American people. Just today, he's turning his back on a pledge to lower drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies.

"Mr. Trump declared that the pharmaceutical industry was 'getting away with murder' and that addressing high costs was a top priority. Now, after a closed-door meeting with the nation's top drug company executives, how does he propose to address the issue" By undermining the work the FDA does to make sure drugs are safe and providing big tax giveaways to companies making record profits.

"At a time when seniors and families in Maryland and across the country are facing rising drug prices - coupled with Republican efforts to take access to health care and patient protections away from every American - this is simply unconscionable. Democrats stand ready to fight to put families first, not special interests. It's time for President Trump to keep his word and stop selling out to the highest bidder."