On the recordDecember 12, 2019
I thank my colleague, Representative Kennedy, for adding an amendment to this bill that will tighten it even further. I also thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Pallone, Chairman Neal, and Chairman Scott for their leadership and efforts on this historic legislation, which brings desperately needed relief to America's patients and seniors from the high drug prices that are scaring too many of them. There is a reason that we pay nearly four times more for prescription drugs than other industrialized nations. They use negotiation to lower drug prices. We don't. Negotiating lower drug prices is a promise that the President, Democrats, and Republicans have made, and the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act makes good to this commitment. Representative Kennedy's amendment further strengthens this provision to ensure that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is responsible for these negotiations, is free from conflicts of interest. A public office is a public trust, and America's seniors and patients deserve to have confidence that the Secretary's interests are aligned with theirs. That is why this amendment is so important. It puts American people first when negotiating drug prices so that they receive the best deal possible. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, which will ensure that the American people, not special interests, are represented in drug price negotiations.
