BETHLEHEM, Pa. — As 2023 comes to a close, some in congress, including our local legislators, say the battle to reduce medical costs for everyone will continue in the new year.
And the fight against big pharmaceutical and insurance companies to lower prescription drug prices is one for which U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, has plans in coming months.
"I heard about prescription drug prices more than any other subject, which was a little bit startling to me."U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley
“When I was running for office and when I was out and about talking to people, people I'd never met before, I heard about prescription drug prices more than any other subject," said Wild, who represents Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and part of Monroe counties.
"Which was a little bit startling to me because up until that point no one in my family had that experience.”
She recently spoke about the progress made this year, with the inflation Reduction Act going into effect over the summer.
The act caps insulin, and nine other common medications for Medicare recipients at $35 per month.
Now, she plans to press on with the work she’s done to lower prescription costs by introducing a few new bills.
“The affordable insulin now act would cap insulin [prices] for everyone, not just Medicare recipients, at $35 a month,” she said.
The price of insulin is among Wild's top focuses because the patent for insulin from the inventor was sold to the United States government for $1 because the inventor thought that it was so important that people have access to this drug.
Next up: Lowering drug prices
Next, she said, is a bill called the Lowering Drug Costs For American Families Act, which would let people with private health insurance, not just Medicare, have access to the lower drug prices afforded as a result of Medicare's negotiation with the drug companies.
"This group that's working together is trying to make sure that we are not only focused on the pharmaceutical companies, but also the insurance companies, the pharmacy benefit managers. And making sure that access to the supply chain, that kind of thing, is protected."U.S. Rep. Susan Wild
“Then there is also a really important bill, the PROTECT 340B Act, which takes on the middlemen who actually undermine the prescription drug discount program that so many seniors and lower income folks used to get the care they need,” Wild said.
Wild said she's working with other legislators from the Democratic Caucus on the topic.
"This group that's working together is trying to make sure that we are not only focused on the pharmaceutical companies, but also the insurance companies, the pharmacy benefit managers," she said.
"And making sure that access to the supply chain, that kind of thing, is protected."
Wild said she doesn't see the bills being introduced during this session of Congress, but the next.
