WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the announcement by the Biden Administration that Medicare will negotiate the costs of Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara, and certain other insulins including Fiasp; Fiasp FlexTouch; Fiasp PenFill; NovoLog; NovoLog FlexPen; NovoLog PenFill:
“This is an incredibly important step to continue the work of lowering costs for seniors who take these lifesaving prescription drugs – a step that builds on the pieces of the Inflation Reduction Act that have already been implemented, including capping the cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 per month and an out-of-pocket drug spending limit is just months away, saving the average senior $400 a year. The Congressional Budget Office estimates these reforms could save Medicare $98.5 billion over 10 years and will drastically cut costs for seniors who spent $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs on these medications in 2022 alone.
“I am so proud of the work that the Congressional Progressive Caucus did to make this happen. By successfully demanding that the House pass a bold prescription drug negotiation bill in the 116th Congress and then holding the line during Build Back Better negotiations, we were able to ensure that these cost-saving provisions would be included in the final Inflation Reduction Act. Democrats then united to use our governing majorities to stand up against corporate interests, putting patients over profits.
“This is a major step in the right direction, and progressives look forward to continuing to lower the costs of health care for people across this country, both through ensuring that we allow for the negotiation of every prescription drug and continuing the fight for Medicare for All.”
