[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 8, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H1024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RISING DRUG PRICES

  (Mr. LaTURNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an important issue 
that is deeply concerning to Kansans: Rising drug prices.
  So far this year, the price of hundreds of lifesaving pharmaceutical 
medications have already increased. Hardworking Kansas families are 
facing skyrocketing inflation and many simply do not have the funds to 
keep up with the never-ending rise in healthcare costs.
  For the past three decades, the bipartisan 340B program has helped 
low-income families afford essential medications by requiring 
pharmaceutical companies to give safety-net and rural healthcare 
providers discounts on prescription drugs. In my home State of Kansas, 
we have over 80 hospitals that use 340B savings. Not only do 340B 
hospitals provide heavily discounted prescription medications, they 
also make additional healthcare services, such as trauma care and 
substance abuse treatment available to most of our vulnerable patients.
  As the 340B program celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is vital that 
we reaffirm our commitment to protecting this program and ensuring all 
Kansans have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

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