Press Conference: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to Introduce Proposal to Harness Medicare’s Purchasing Power to Negotiate Lower Medication Prices
July 24, 2018
Press Conference: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to Introduce Proposal to Harness Medicare’s Purchasing Power to Negotiate Lower Medication Prices
Legislation Would Provide Leverage Through a Competitive License to Allow Competition If Negotiations Fail
WHAT: Press conference at which U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) will introduce legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical corporations and authorize generic competition when negotiations fail.
The Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act would authorize the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers, just as the government already successfully does for veterans.
Unlike other Medicare negotiation bills, this act would authorize generic competition through competitive licensing when a manufacturer refuses to offer a reasonable price. This would give Medicare leverage in negotiations with pharmaceutical corporations and provide low-cost alternatives when medicines are unaffordable, thereby ensuring patients receive the treatment they need.
WHEN: 11 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, July 25
WHERE: Room 2247, Rayburn House Office Building
45 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C.
WHO: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.)
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)
Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen
Stahis Panagides, patient struggling to afford treatment for Parkinson’s disease
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