Press Releases

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) released the following statement after voting against House Democrats’ partisan plan for a government takeover of prescription drug manufacturers that will lead to fewer cures, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3):

“No one disagrees that the cost of prescription drugs are too high and we need to work to make them affordable for American families. We have a historic opportunity for Republicans and Democrats in Congress to work together to pass meaningful reforms that would get drug costs down.  However, while Americans must continue making difficult choices in order to afford their prescription drugs, Speaker Pelosi has chosen to put politics over progress by jamming partisan legislation through the House that will lead to fewer cures for patients—not lower prices.

“If H.R. 3 – which is dead on arrival in the United States Senate and President Trump has said he will veto – were somehow to become law, we know this legislation will lead to fewer cures and treatments. Estimates show that anywhere from 8 to more than 100 new cures and treatments will be lost in the next decade alone. These are drugs that could cure Alzheimer’s, ALS, or even cancer. While House Democrats may believe that preventing these cures and treatments from coming to market is ‘worth it,’ I do not. As a physician, the thought of patients being denied access to a potentially life-saving cure or treatment because of this partisan legislation is not a risk I am willing to take, and it is not a risk the American people should have to suffer. Simply put, a government takeover of the drug industry will lead to fewer cures and lost hope for Americans.  

“If Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats were serious about lowering drug prices, then they should have worked with House Republicans to pass legislation that can actually be signed into law. House Republicans are serious about lowering drug costs, and that is why I supported the Lower Costs, More Cures Act (H.R. 19), which is legislation comprised of positive solutions that have bipartisan support that we know can help reduce the cost of prescription drugs by lowering out of pocket spending, protecting access to new and innovative cures, increasing transparency, and championing competition.”

Background

Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 (H.R. 3)

• “H.R. 3 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.” (White House Council of Economic Advisers)
• H.R. 3 would “reduce by 88% the number of drugs brought to market by small and emerging companies in California alone.” (California Life Sciences Association.
• The Congressional Budget Office estimates that up to 15 new drugs will not come to market over the next decade.

Lower Costs, More Cures Act (H.R. 19)

• Encourages innovation of groundbreaking new cures, promotes more low-cost options for patients, and curbs how drug companies can game of the system.
• 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.
• Increases transparency and removes uncertainty at the pharmacy counter.
• Cuts the cost of drug administration, including cancer treatment, for Medicare beneficiaries by as much as half.
• Stops subsidizing other developed countries’ health care through stronger trade agreements.
• Includes policy that has bipartisan, bicameral support and could be signed into law today.