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| Democrats' Drug Pricing Bill |
It is vital that individuals who need prescription drugs are able to purchase their medications without significant financial barriers. However, many medications remain far too costly in the United States. One sure way to lower drug prices is to increase competition in the market, meaning more generic drugs. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a record number of generics, including the first generic version of the EpiPen. The U.S. continues to be a worldwide leader in innovation and access to medication, which is something that we must keep in mind when crafting solutions to higher costs.
This week, the House Education and Labor Committee held a markup on H.R. 3, the deceptively named Lower Drug Costs Now Act. H.R. 3 does have some worthy provisions, such as the modernization of benefit structures in Medicare part D and setting a maximum out-of-pocket cap for Medicare beneficiaries. However, the bill is filled with roadblocks and red tape that will further muddle the situation overall.
An example of this can be found in Congressman Phil Roe's amendment, of which I spoke in favor. Congressman Roe pointed out that from 2011-2018, 270 new medications were approved globally. The United States has access to 100% of those medications. Germany, the UK, France, Canada, Japan and Australia all employ some form of government price control and access to these life-saving and life-improving medications ranges from 41%-67%. Under H.R. 3, this is a real concern for individuals with employer-sponsored health care plans, which the amendment would have addressed.
There are ways that Congress can help alleviate the high cost of prescription drugs. But, we must be cognizant that when putting these price-reducing rules into effect, we do not limit access to medications or stifle innovation. For example, there are three bipartisan bills that passed through the Energy and Commerce Committee earlier this year that will help lower costs and keep access broad. First, is H.R. 965, the CREATES Act, which will expand generic drug manufacturers' access to reference drugs and create more choice and competition in the marketplace by allowing generics to compete more rapidly. Second, is H.R. 1499, the Protecting Access to Generic Drugs Act, which will prohibit brand name drug manufacturers and biological product manufacturers from bribing generic drug and biosimilar manufacturers to delay entry into market, again creating more competition. Third, is H.R. 938, the BLOCKING Act, which will limit the first-approved generic drug makers' ability to impede the launch of a rival company's product.
All three of these bills passed through committee with bipartisan support. However, Speaker Pelosi has thus far refused to bring them to the House floor for a vote. I hope she will consider having an individual vote on each of these three bills, as well as give us the chance to reexamine H.R. 3 to include more bipartisan provisions that will be agreed to in the House, Senate and eventually signed into law by the President.
For my commentary on H.R. 3 and Congressman Roe's amendment, please click on the picture below.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently opened enrollment for their Wildlife and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) services. WHIP+ offers disaster payments to farmers in order to cover damage from natural disasters that struck in 2018 and 2019.
In Wisconsin's Sixth District, WHIP+ is available to producers who experienced losses from tornadoes and floods from August 17, 2018 to September 14, 2018 in Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Marquette counties. Some producers in neighboring counties that were impacted by these tornadoes and floods may also be eligible for assistance.
If you would like more information about WHIP+, you can check your eligibility and the location of your local service center by clicking here. If your farm was impacted, I hope you are able to take advantage of this program that has helped farmers throughout our great state of Wisconsin. |
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If you are, or know, a student or recent graduate that would be interested in a spring internship in my Washington D.C. or Fond du Lac office, please let me know! We are currently accepting internship applications for hard-working, driven individuals who want to learn more about how our government works. Please send all resumes to WI06Resumes@gmail.com and indicate for which office you would like to apply.
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At the Sheboygan County Legislative Forum, I had the opportunity to chat with local leaders about the next steps in the county’s economic growth.
Tuesday was National Cheese Curd Day. We Wisconsinites are lucky to live in the state with the world’s best snack!
Have you ever wondered where your coffee filters are made? Odds are, they come from Rockline Industries in Sheboygan.
Thanks to the Two Creeks fire department for 50 years of service!
Happy birthday to the U.S. Navy! On Saturday, we celebrated 244 years of keeping America safe on land and sea.
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As your Congressman, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Fond du Lac and Washington. If you enjoyed this newsletter be sure to forward it to your family and friends so they can stay informed on what I’m doing in Washington and the Sixth District.
You can also stay up-to-the-minute by following me on Facebook (Congressman Glenn Grothman), Twitter (@RepGrothman) and Instagram (@RepGlennGrothman).
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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