[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 119 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H2670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        INCREASE IN DRUG PRICES

  (Mr. McNERNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, as a mathematician and a Member of 
Congress sent here to represent the interests of my constituents, I am 
baffled by the arguments made by my Republican colleagues regarding the 
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. They don't seem 
to understand simple math.
  The facts are that one in four Americans report their prescriptions 
are too expensive and brand name drug prices have jumped 60 percent in 
just a year's time. At this rate, the majority of Americans are 
becoming unable to afford their medications.
  Meanwhile, the CBO has estimated that this bill would reduce drug 
prices by up to 55 percent for the covered drugs. This would offset the 
increase of those brand name prescriptions.
  We are sent here to do what is right for the American people, not for 
the pharmaceutical companies who raked in $5.1 billion in 1 year 
through the price increases of just seven drugs.
  It is time for my Republican colleagues to do the math and, more 
importantly, listen to their constituents.

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