January 24, 2019
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare’s millions of members and supporters, I write to urge you to cosponsor the “The Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act, legislation to be introduced by Representative Lloyd Doggett. We support Congressman Doggett’s bill because it would allow the Secretary of Health & Human Services to directly negotiate prices for prescription drugs and issue a competitive license allowing other manufacturers to produce the drug for Medicare in the event negotiations fail. The original license holder would receive reasonable compensation for the drug manufactured under the competitive license. This bill would provide the drug companies with a strong incentive to negotiate a reasonable price.
Nobody should have to choose between paying their bills for basic costs of living and taking their medication. The National Committee urges Congress to tackle the issue of rising prescription drug costs. Supporting and ultimately passing the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act would be an important step toward curbing high drug costs in the Medicare program. Please cosponsor this important bill.
Sincerely,
Max Richtman
President and CEO