October 18, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 165 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages H8232-H8233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES

  (Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk 
about the urgent need to address the high and rising costs of 
prescription drug prices in this country.
  Far too often, I have heard heartbreaking stories from Oklahomans and 
people in my community who face the unacceptable reality of choosing 
between putting food on their table and taking the lifesaving 
medications they need.
  Earlier this year, I held a townhall where I heard from many people 
in Oklahoma, and we released a report about the soaring costs of 
insulin. In my district alone, more than 22,000 seniors on Medicare and 
other Oklahomans living with disabilities and diabetes face 
prescription drug costs of more than $25 million.
  It is time to act and make medicine more affordable and make it 
possible for people to get the lifesaving prescription drugs they need.
  One important solution is limiting the out-of-pocket costs for 
patients at the pharmacy counter. That is why I introduced the Capping 
Drug Costs for Seniors Act. This practical solution lowers the cost for 
patients directly. This bill keeps Medicare part D patients from paying 
more than $2,000 out of pocket, which has a real impact for 46 million 
Americans who rely on this program.

[[Page H8233]]

  Medication only works if it is taken as prescribed. The high cost of 
prescription drugs forces too many people to choose between putting 
food on their table and buying the medicine they need.
  We must continue working on this important issue and create pathways 
to affordable medications and improving health.

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