[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 164 (Thursday, October 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  (Mr. PAPPAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of individuals across New 
Hampshire and the country who are struggling to afford the skyrocketing 
cost of prescription drugs.
  Across my district, I hear from individuals each and every day about 
the significant burden and anxiety caused by the exorbitant costs of 
these prescriptions. That is why I introduced H.R. 4661, the Advancing 
Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act, along with Representative 
Tonko.
  This is an important addition to H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act 
of 2019, to expand seniors' access to prescription drugs under Medicare 
part D. This legislation will automatically enroll individuals in part 
D's subsidy program, known as Extra Help, when they have aged out of 
Medicaid Expansion.
  We must continue to ensure that seniors receive access to this earned 
benefit without having to navigate what can be a complicated process.
  When seniors arrive at the pharmacy counter, they shouldn't have to 
worry whether they can afford the medications they need to live with 
health and with dignity. This legislation is a step toward addressing 
this injustice, and I urge my colleagues to continue to support efforts 
to reduce the cost of prescription drugs in a bipartisan fashion and 
pass this legislation.

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