Washington, D.C. – Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced a deal with Democratic leadership to include key progressive priorities in H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act:
“After months of work from the Progressive Caucus, we’re pleased to announce that House Democratic leadership has agreed to make substantial improvements to H.R. 3 ahead of the final vote.
“We appreciate Speaker Pelosi working with us to ensure several key progressive priorities are in the final version of the bill. Specifically, we’re happy to report that the final bill will fully restore the Jayapal Amendment, which prevents pharmaceutical price-gouging for upwards of 150 million Americans with private health care plans, and includes a provision from Congressman Pocan doubling the minimum number of negotiated drugs from twenty-five to fifty in year two and maintaining the fifty drug minimum for every subsequent year.
“In addition to these wins, the initial bill included the following progressive priorities:
- Replaced arbitration with direct negotiation;
- Gave the HHS Secretary authority to negotiate to prevent price-gouging in launch prices of new treatments.
“The improvements agreed upon this afternoon, coupled with changes made earlier this year, have made this bill significantly stronger for the American people. Our goal has always been to expand the scope of this legislation so more families could benefit from lower drug prices.
“While we didn’t get everything we wanted, the changes we have negotiated over the past few months will bring relief to millions of Americans who would otherwise have been left out of this landmark legislation. We appreciate the strong support from Progressive Caucus Members, advocacy organizations and patient advocates who stuck together to secure these critical amendments. This was a collective movement.
“Democrats won back the House promising to take on pharmaceutical greed and meaningfully lower drug prices for patients. We look forward to voting for the improved H.R. 3 this week, so Congress can fulfill that commitment.”
###
