[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 129 (Tuesday, August 2, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

  Mr. CASEY. Madam President, I am pleased that Democrats have come 
together to address the costs of prescription drugs and to lower 
Affordable Care Act health care premiums for Americans. I strongly 
support a negotiation process for prescription drugs that will enable 
the voices of affected stakeholders, especially older adults, patients 
and people with disabilities, communities of color, and other 
marginalized groups, to play an integral role and inform the 
development and oversight of Medicare drug negotiations.
  The Department of Health and Human Services has the authority to 
ensure affected stakeholders provide input about the potential for 
drugs to achieve outcomes that improve their quality of life. I view 
the Inflation Reduction Act as an opportunity to put older adults, 
people with disabilities and patients in front of the process so those 
affected, especially those historically excluded from the data used to 
make decisions, are at the table as the Department of Health and Human 
Services negotiates prices and advances the health equity goals we all 
share.

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