McMorris Rodgers Announces Legislation to Lower Drug Prices, Promote Cures

Washington, D.C. (April 21, 2021) – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) today introduced the Lower Costs, More Cures Act to drive down drug prices for individuals and families in Eastern Washington without limiting access to cures.

“Individuals and families in Eastern Washington should not have to live in fear over how they will pay for their prescription medications, especially when they are living with a rare or chronic illness,” said Rodgers. “This legislation is about building on the progress we’ve made with 21st Century Cures to help bring more generic drugs to market faster, make insulin more affordable for our loved ones, lower out-of-pocket spending for seniors, boost access to new medicines and cures, and bring much-needed transparency to drug pricing.”

She continued, “This is a real, results-driven alternative to House Democrats’ plans to use the heavy hand of government to set drug prices and stifle innovation. Partisan policy on drug pricing will only set America back and reduce the number of life-saving cures that come to market. Thanks to American ingenuity and innovation, we are on the verge of some amazing breakthroughs. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act is an important step towards helping millions of people battling diseases every single day.”

As Lead Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Cathy is urging her colleagues to support H.R. 19 to stop Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of prescription drug pricing, which would make America more reliant on China, lead to fewer cures, and devalue the life of people with disabilities and those who have chronic illnesses. CLICK HERE to read the letter.

The Lower Costs, More Cures Act:

• Lowers costs without jeopardizing cures. 
• Leads to lifesaving new cures and innovation, promotes more low-cost options for patients who need them, and stops drug companies from gaming the system. 
• Doesn’t make America more reliant on China.  
• Provides first-ever out-of-pocket cap for seniors in the Medicare Part D program.  
• Caps the cost of insulin for seniors in the Medicare Part D program.  
• Empowers patients with more drug price transparency and removes uncertainty at the pharmacy counter.  
• Cuts the cost of cancer treatment and other drug administration for Medicare beneficiaries by as much as half. 
• Enables strong, pro-America trade agreements to end American subsidizing of other developed countries’ health care.

This is a stark contrast to House Democrats’ plan for Government Price Controls, Fewer Cures that:

• “Could lead to as many as 100 fewer drugs entering the United States market over the next decade, or about one-third of the total number of drugs expected to enter the market during that time.” (Trump Administration White House Council of Economic Advisers)
• “Reduce[s] by 88% the number of drugs brought to market by small and emerging companies in California alone.” (California Life Sciences Association)
• Would raise prices on seniors or limit their access to prescription drugs. (CBO)
• Would devalue the lives of and discriminate against people with disabilities and those with chronic illnesses. (National Council on Disability)

CLICK HERE for text of the Lower Costs, More Cures Act

CLICK HERE for a section-by-section summary of the Lower Costs, More Cures Act

CLICK HERE for a fact sheet on how Lower Costs, More Cures will improve affordability of insulin.

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