Congressman Dan Kildee Meets with Mid-Michigan Diabetes Patients, Pushes Action on House-Passed Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

Patients Shared their Concerns About Affording Prescription Drugs

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today visited the Hurley Medical Center Adult Diabetes Center to sit down with patients and hear first-hand their health care stories, including the high cost of insulin and prescription drugs. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 864,882 Michiganders living with diabetes, some of whom pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket annually for life-saving insulin medication.

During the roundtable in Burton, Congressman Kildee discussed recent action in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. CummingsLower Drug Costs Now Act, which would end the ban on Medicare negotiating directly with drug companies, forcing drug companies to reduce the price of prescription drugs that are up to ten times higher than what they charge in other countries. By allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies, lower drug prices would be available to all Americans, including those with private insurance, not just Medicare beneficiaries. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2019 and is awaiting Senate action.

"The rising costs of prescription drugs has impacted every family in Michigan and across the country. Right now, the United States pays by far the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs," said Congressman Kildee. "The House has taken action to help lower the cost of prescription drugs and provide relief to Michiganders. Now the Senate must take up this important bill right away. I appreciate hearing directly from mid-Michigan patients about why Congress must act on high prescription drug cost.

Congressman Kildee continues to work to lower the cost of health care for Michigan families. In Michigan, Congressman Kildee has met with local health care leaders and community members to discuss ways to lower health care costs, expand coverage for families and protect coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. He has also championed both H.R. 987 and H.R. 986, which would help to rein in the soaring costs of prescription drugs and protect those with pre-existing conditions

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