October 22, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 167 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H8303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. O'HALLERAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the high cost of 
prescription drugs in this country.
  This year, I have held 26 townhalls across Arizona's First 
Congressional District. At each and every one, I hear from families, 
seniors, and veterans who are concerned about the overwhelmingly high 
cost of their prescription drugs.
  I hear from people like Karen from Globe, Arizona, a 74-year-old 
widow who cannot afford her prescriptions and often goes without them; 
or Elizabeth from Tucson, Arizona, who said: ``I don't have much 
hope.'' An American saying ``I don't have much hope'' is unacceptable 
in America.
  Between the years 2012 and 2017, the average annual cost of 
prescription drug treatment increased by more than 50 percent--way 
above inflation rates--while the annual income for Arizonans increased 
by only 12 percent. In 2017, 26 percent of Arizona residents stopped 
taking medication that is prescribed, due to cost.
  The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs has become a crisis in 
this country, and something must be done. It is critical that we come 
together to identify commonsense, bipartisan solutions to address these 
costs and ensure that hardworking families can access the care and 
prescriptions they need at affordable prices.

  I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring 
down these costs by identifying a holistic approach that allows 
Medicare to negotiate for lower prices, caps out-of-pocket drug 
expenses for seniors, and improves access to lower cost generic drugs. 
Throughout this process, we must protect innovation and allow for the 
research and development of new drugs on the market.
  As we discuss these solutions, we must also remember the ways this 
crisis disproportionately affects medically underserved rural and 
Tribal communities. We need to identify solutions to address their 
unique needs because Americans deserve quality, affordable care 
regardless of their ZIP Code. No one should ever have to make the 
choice between the medication they need and putting food on the table.
  Mr. Speaker, I am working hard to ensure this is a reality for all 
Americans. Let us all start to begin to have hope again.

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