Janice Schakowsky: “Since 2003, the pharmaceutical companies have had free rein to gouge sick people. They forced into law language that…”

“Since 2003, the pharmaceutical companies have had free rein to gouge sick people. They forced into law language that prohibited the Federal Government from negotiating with the drug companies for lower prices, which already the Veterans Administration does and has done for decades. We know that negotiating for fair prices actually is the only way that we are going to be able to lower prices, and that is what H.R. 3 is going to do. Even Donald Trump has said that, when he was a candidate: When it comes to negotiating the cost of drugs, we are going to negotiate like crazy. That was then, and this is now. The Congressional Budget Office says we are going to save about half a trillion dollars when we negotiate in the most effective way to protect seniors and families and anyone who has insurance, and we are going to be able to use that money to finally help senior citizens who need help with their eyeglasses, with their hearing aids, with their dental care. We are going to be able to make such a difference in their lives. Ninety percent of Democrats, 87 percent of Independents, and 80 percent of Republicans say they support allowing the Federal Government to negotiate for prices. The time is absolutely now for us to pass this legislation. H.R. 3, the Elijah E.…”