Kim Schrier: “I am so glad that my colleague from Texas, Mr. Wright, is well and I am so glad that he could afford the treatment that…”

“I am so glad that my colleague from Texas, Mr. Wright, is well and I am so glad that he could afford the treatment that he needed. But we have people suffering from the cost of prescription drugs now, and intentionally holding up this bill hurts them. We absolutely must remain the leader in the world in innovation, but the thing is, we can reduce drug prices and still have money for research. The money U.S.-based drug companies made in 2015 by charging Americans high prices was nearly double what was needed to fund their global R&D. An H.R. 3 uses the savings to reinvest billions in the research and clinical trials needed to get cures faster. I am so excited about H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. I am the first pediatrician ever elected to Congress, and currently the only female doctor here. I am also a patient with type 1 diabetes. My life depends on insulin, so the high cost of prescription drugs affects me and people like me every day. I have driven over 7,000 miles this year traversing my district talking to people about what matters to them. And you know what the biggest thing is? The cost of prescription drugs. Because it doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or Republican if you cannot afford your medication. I understand this issue both as a doctor and a patient, because it is not theoretical for me or for my patients. When we talk about the cost of insulin, I have felt that personally.…”