News Release
“Despite general platitudes on health care and bringing down prescription drug prices – there was no indication in the State of the Union that President Trump will allow Medicare to negotiate costs directly with pharmaceutical companies. For years, seniors and their advocates have been pleading for drug negotiation via Medicare along with the addition of routine dental, vision and hearing care for the nearly 40 million seniors in the program. Democrats in Congress, including Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Debbie Dingell and Lucille Roybal-Allard, have introduced legislation to do that, but the administration so far has not embraced either of these proposals.
Contrary to the President’s campaign promises to protect seniors’ health security, the administration has proposed cutting Medicare by $500 billion over ten years – and allowing per capita caps and block grants for Medicaid. There was nothing in tonight’s speech to reassure retirees that the President is not actively working to raise their costs by undermining seniors’ programs. President Trump must prioritize solutions for older Americans who are struggling to afford prescription and other healthcare costs over private sector profits. The State of the Union was a missed opportunity for the President to deliver a serious strategy on this issue.” – Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
View Max Richtman’s letter to President Trump on this topic here.
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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:
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Walter Gottlieb 202-216-8414