November 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 183 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H8905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  (Mr. CARTWRIGHT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, over 7 million American men, women, 
and children depend on insulin to keep themselves alive; but, between 
2012 and 2016, the price of insulin nearly doubled, forcing many of 
these Americans to ration this lifesaving drug.
  It is unacceptable.
  What we hear over and over again from big pharmaceutical companies is 
that these price hikes are necessary to pay for new research. But 
insulin isn't new. The first patent for insulin came out in 1923--
almost 100 years ago.
  The simple truth is that the drug companies keep hiking their prices 
on us because they can get away with it. As a result, Americans are 
made to suffer and make impossible sacrifices while the same drugs get 
sold in foreign countries for much cheaper.
  That is why I am proud to support the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, smart 
legislation which would allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices 
for American citizens.

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