Statement from Margarida Jorge, campaign director for Lower Drug Prices Now, on the House’s vote to advance President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda:

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Congress and President Biden to keep their promise to lower costs and improve healthcare for families and seniors. We can’t Build Back Better without affordable prescription medicines for everyone who needs them.

Prescription drug corporations continue raising the price of medicines faster than the rate of inflation, putting prescription drugs out of reach for millions each year. This includes seniors, families, employers, and thousands of COVID long-haulers now struggling with chronic conditions. By giving Medicare the power to negotiate, capping out of pocket costs for beneficiaries, and holding drug corporations accountable for price-gouging, we can ensure that no American gets priced-out of access to life-saving medications.

Not only will these reforms make prescriptions more affordable for patients, employers, and Medicare, but it will also save taxpayers half a trillion dollars. By delivering on these promises, Democrats can take a major step forward in ending Big Pharma’s monopoly control over drug pricing and finally put patients before profits.