[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8607-H8608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING IS A TOP HEALTH PRIORITY

  (Mr. McADAMS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, lowering prescription drug costs is the

[[Page H8608]]

public's top health priority for Congress.
  Most Americans say that prescription drugs have made their lives 
better, but for so many the cost is unreasonable and unaffordable.
  Insulin, which keeps more than 7 million Americans alive, is an 
extreme example. We have had insulin for nearly 100 years, yet my 
constituents, Utah mothers whose kids have type I diabetes, tell me 
that skyrocketing costs have put this lifesaving medicine nearly out of 
reach.
  My hometown newspaper recently carried a story about volunteers 
crisscrossing Utah to pick up leftover insulin--because a family had 
extra or a diabetic family member died--and delivering that medicine 
where it is needed. They call it ``Diabetic Christmas,'' a sad 
commentary on just how badly our system is failing our patients.
  We need actions to offer relief that bring down costs so that people 
don't have to celebrate Diabetic Christmas in order to stay alive and 
stay healthy.
  This week, we passed a bill with unanimous bipartisan support that 
makes drug pricing more transparent and makes it easier for seniors on 
Medicare drug plans to understand their benefits and their costs. It is 
a good step forward, but we have more work to do.

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