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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 11, 2007
CONTACT:
Pamela Causey 202/216-8378
Kim Wright 202/216-8414
NEWS RELEASE
Price Negotiation Legislation
a Critical Start
In Correcting a Flawed Law
Leading Seniors Advocacy Group Urges the House to pass HR 4
"Prohibiting Medicare from using the purchasing power of its millions of beneficiaries doesn't make sense for seniors but it has added up to greater profits for the private drug plans. Lifting the ban so that Medicare will be required to negotiate with drug makers is an important first step to improving Part D"…Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO
The government has a track record of successful price negotiation in the health care markets and former Congresswoman Kennelly argues there is no reason that same experience can't be put to work in Part D.
"While the Administration argues Medicare can't possibly get drug prices any lower, drug makers and their lobbyists are pulling out all the stops to prevent the government from negotiating the lowest prices. If choice and competition are what's driving prices down, as this administration has claimed, then competition from Medicare will drive prices even lower."
Price negotiation isn't the only Part D provision which needs help from Congress. The National Committee's 4.6 million members and supporters want beneficiaries to have the choice of a government-run drug program they understand and trust rather than being limited to the confusing and ever-changing array of private drug plans currently offered under Part D.
On Tuesday, January 9, the National Committee delivered letters to all members of the House of Representatives in support of H.R. 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act, urging lawmakers to continue a systematic reform of the Part D drug program.
A copy of the National Committee letter to Congress is attached and also available on our website at www.ncpssm.org.
The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.
Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
www.ncpssm.org