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




                  LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  (Mr. WELCH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELCH. Madam Speaker, very soon in this House, we will have a 
chance to do something that America needs done, America wants done, and 
we can do it together, and that is to lower the cost of prescription 
drugs in honor of our wonderful Elijah Cummings.
  The United States is the only major country where the government of 
the people does not protect the people against price gouging by the 
pharmaceutical industry. We have got to change that.
  Our drug bill will bring down prices over a half a trillion dollars. 
That will start to alleviate the pressure on premiums that is coming at 
the expense of raises for workers.
  The benefit of this approach will not just be for our Medicare and 
Medicaid programs--really important programs--but the lower prices will 
benefit employer-sponsored healthcare as well.
  So, if you are taking medication that is insulin, or if you are 
taking medication in an EpiPen, you are going to get a lower price. 
But, even if you are fortunate that you don't need the medication, your 
premiums are going to go down.
  Madam Speaker, let's come together and pass this reduction in 
horrible medical expenses.

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