I rise today to highlight the critical importance of the health provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, IRA. Last week, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing entitled, ``Lower Health Care Costs for Americans: Understanding the Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act.'' Since President Biden signed the IRA into law on August 16, 2022, this landmark legislation continues to make life easier for American families to afford health insurance coverage and prescription drugs. Across the board, costs are being lowered. Since January 2023, thanks to the IRA, insulin for Medicare beneficiaries is capped at $35 a month, and all recommended vaccines are available for seniors at no cost. The IRA further lowers drug costs by capping out-of-pocket Medicare part D beneficiaries' expenses at $2,000. And in 2026, Medicare will begin implementing negotiated drug prices, starting with 10 of the highest cost prescription drugs. Last month, the Biden-Harris administration took on Big Pharma and succeeded in negotiating to lower prices for 10 of the most common and expensive drugs under Medicare. Americans are expected to save $6 billion on prescription drug costs, and people enrolled in Medicare are expected to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone. Early next year, the administration will announce 15 more drugs that will be subject to price negotiations.…
On the recordSeptember 25, 2024
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