On the recordAugust 2, 2022
I am pleased that Democrats have come together to address the costs of prescription drugs and to lower Affordable Care Act health care premiums for Americans. I strongly support a negotiation process for prescription drugs that will enable the voices of affected stakeholders, especially older adults, patients and people with disabilities, communities of color, and other marginalized groups, to play an integral role and inform the development and oversight of Medicare drug negotiations. The Department of Health and Human Services has the authority to ensure affected stakeholders provide input about the potential for drugs to achieve outcomes that improve their quality of life. I view the Inflation Reduction Act as an opportunity to put older adults, people with disabilities and patients in front of the process so those affected, especially those historically excluded from the data used to make decisions, are at the table as the Department of Health and Human Services negotiates prices and advances the health equity goals we all share. ____________________
